10.57647/j.ijic.2025.1604.19

Enhancing Carbon Dioxide Solubility and Interfacial Behavior in Saline Systems Using Diamine-Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles

PDF
  • Moslem Cheraghi1,
  • Mohammad Amin Gholamzadeh2,
  • Amin Azdarpour3,
  • Ali Borsalani1,
  • Mohammad Reza Asghari Ganjeh4,
  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Om. C., Islamic Azad University, Omidiyeh, Iran
  2. Department of Petroleum Engineering, Om. C., Islamic Azad University, Omidiyeh, Iran
  3. Department of Petroleum Engineering, Marv. C., Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
  4. Department of Chemistry, Om. C., Islamic Azad University, Omidiyeh, Iran

Received: 2025-11-15

Revised: 2025-12-15

Accepted: 2025-12-30

Published in Issue 2025-12-30

Copyright (c) 2025 Moslem Cheraghi, Mohammad Amin Gholamzadeh, Amin Azdarpour, Ali Borsalani, Mohammad Reza Asghari Ganjeh (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Cheraghi, M., Gholamzadeh, M. A., Azdarpour, A., Borsalani, A., & Asghari Ganjeh, M. R. (2025). Enhancing Carbon Dioxide Solubility and Interfacial Behavior in Saline Systems Using Diamine-Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles. International Journal of Industrial Chemistry, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.57647/j.ijic.2025.1604.19
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

PDF views: 41

Abstract

Understanding and enhancing carbon dioxide (CO₂) solubility and interfacial behavior in saline aqueous systems are critical for improving the efficiency of subsurface CO₂ sequestration and related applications. In this study, diamine-functionalized silica nanoparticles were synthesized using N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS) and systematically evaluated for their ability to enhance CO₂ solubility and reduce CO₂ –brine interfacial tension (IFT) under reservoir-relevant conditions. CO₂ solubility measurements were conducted in fresh water, formation brine (FB), and single-salt solutions with controlled ionic strength over a wide range of temperatures (25–80 °C) and pressures (up to 300 bar). The results show that the synthesized nanoparticles significantly enhance CO₂ solubility in both low- and high-salinity environments, with an optimal nanoparticle concentration of 2000 ppm. Despite the strong salting-out effect observed at elevated ionic strength, nanoparticle addition consistently mitigated salinity-induced solubility reduction. IFT measurements further confirmed that AEAPTMS-functionalized silica nanoparticles effectively reduce CO₂–brine IFT across all investigated pressures. The combined solubility and interfacial results demonstrate that surface-engineered silica nanoparticles provide a robust and effective strategy for improving CO₂ –aqueous phase interactions in complex brine systems. This work offers new mechanistic insights into nanoparticle-assisted CO₂ behavior and highlights the potential of chemically tailored nanomaterials for enhancing CO₂ storage performance in saline reservoirs.

Keywords

  • AEAPTMS-functionalized silica nanoparticles,
  • CO₂ solubility,
  • CO₂ sequestration,
  • FB,
  • IFT
PDF

References

  1. Azimi N, Gandomkar A, Sharif M,. Relationship between production condition, microstructure and final properties of chitosan/graphene oxide–zinc oxide bionanocomposite, Polym Bull 2023;80:6455–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-022-04277-0
  2. Gandomkar A, Torabi F, Nasriani H R, Enick R M. Maximising CO2 sequestration efficiency in deep saline aquifers through in-situ generation of CO2-in-brine foam incorporating novel CO2-soluble non-ionic surfactants, Chemical Engineering Journal 2025;521:166102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.166102
  3. Gandomkar A, Honarvar B, Kazemzadeh Y, Derikvand Z, An Experimental Study of Surfactant Alternating CO2 Injection for Enhanced Oil Recovery of Carbonated Reservoir, Iranian Journal of Oil and Gas Science and Technology 2016;5:1–17. https://doi.org/10.22050/ijogst.2016.41564
  4. Azdarpour A, Asadullah M, Mohammadian E, Junin R, Hamidi H, Manan M, Daud A R M, Mineral carbonation of red gypsum via pH-swing process: Effect of CO2 pressure on the efficiency and products characteristics, Chemical Engineering Journal. 2015; 264: 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2014.11.125
  5. Azdarpour A, Asadullah M, Junin R, Mohammadian E, Hamidi H, Daud A R M, Manan M, Extraction of calcium from red gypsum for calcium carbonate production, Fuel Processing Technology. 2015; 130: 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2014.09.034
  6. Azdarpour A, Asadullah M, Mohammadian E, Hamidi H, Junin R, Karaei M A, A review on carbon dioxide mineral carbonation through pH-swing process, Chemical Engineering Journal . 2015; 279: 615–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.05.064
  7. Villa R, Nieto S, Donaire A, Lozano P, Direct Biocatalytic Processes for CO2 Capture as a Green Tool to Produce Value-Added Chemicals, Molecules. 2023; 28:5520. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145520
  8. Sharma G, Dwivedi K, Bafana A, Pakade Y, OICC Author R B. Wet air oxidation of leachate containing emulsified and solubilized hydrocarbons from crude oil-contaminated soil, Int. J. Ind. Chem. 2023; 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-019-0187-2
  9. Rajan K P, Gopanna A, Theravalappil R, Thomas S P. Systematic design, implementation and studentsâ perceptions of a Polymer Engineering course for Chemical Engineering curricula, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2024; 15. https://doi.org/10.57647/j.ijic.2024.1501.04
  10. Mohammadpour A, Mirzaei M, Azimi A, Ghomsheh S M T. Solubility and absorption rate of CO2 in MEA in the presence of graphene oxide nanoparticle and sodium dodecyl sulfate, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2019; 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-019-0184-5
  11. Haroun A A, Kamel S, Elnahrawy A M, Hammad A A, Hamadneh I, Al-Dujaili A H. Polyacetal/graphene/polypyrrole and cobalt nanoparticles electroconducting composites, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2020; 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-020-00218-w
  12. Mouallem J, Arif M, Isah A, Raza A, Motiur Rahman M, Mahmoud M, Shahzad Kamal M, Effect of formation brine on interfacial interaction: Implications for CO2 storage, Fuel. 2024; 371: 131986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131986
  13. Alatefi S., Amar M.N., Agwu O.E., Alkouh A., Toward explicit learning frameworks for predicting the solubility of CO2 – N2 gas mixtures in brine: Implication for impure CO2 storage in saline aquifers, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 2025; 27: 4104660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104660
  14. Chen Y., Xie Q., Yang Y., Mahani H., Niasar V., Nano structure of CO2-Brine-Kaolinite Interface: Implications for CO2 Geological Sequestration, Applied Clay Science. 2024; 254: 107391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2024.107391
  15. Tang Y., Hu S., He Y., Wang Y., Wan X., Cui S., Long K., Experiment on CO2-brine-rock interaction during CO2 injection and storage in gas reservoirs with aquifer, Chemical Engineering Journal. 2021; 413: 127567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.127567
  16. Mohammadian E., Hamidi H., Asadullah M., Azdarpour A., Motamedi S., Junin R., Measurement of CO2 Solubility in NaCl Brine Solutions at Different Temperatures and Pressures Using the Potentiometric Titration Method, J. Chem. Eng. Data. 2015; 60: 2042–2049. https://doi.org/10.1021/je501172d
  17. Gandomkar A., Torabi F., Nasriani H.R., Enick R.M., Maximising CO2 sequestration efficiency in deep saline aquifers through in-situ generation of CO2-in-brine foam incorporating novel CO2-soluble non-ionic surfactants, Chemical Engineering Journal. 2025; 521:166102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.166102
  18. Allameh S., Shaker M., Milani A.H., Mn(II) complex based 3-hydroxynaphthoic acid: A recyclable catalyst in synthesis of novel quinoline-5-one derivatives, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2021; 12. https://doi.org/10.47176/IJIC.12.2.2
  19. Wu X., Li J., Wang J., Cao L., Poly(butyl acrylate) gel prepared in supercritical CO2: an efficient recyclable oil-absorbent, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2020; 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-020-00204-2
  20. Ren W., Li P., Performance of composite modified asphalt based on nano-organic montmorillonite and silica, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2024; 15. https://doi.org/10.57647/j.ijic.2024.1501.08
  21. Khani M., Pordel M., Davoodnia A., TavasoliFarsheh A., Investigation of the effect of using ZnO/TiO2 nano particles on properties of the polyethylene terephthalate preform and beverage bottles, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2022; 13. https://oiccpress.com/ijic/article/view/8246 (accessed December 8, 2025)
  22. Zarei E., Electrochemically assisted photocatalytic removal of m-cresol using TiO2 thin film-modified carbon sheet photoelectrode, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2018; 9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-018-0158-z
  23. Steele-MacInnis M., Capobianco R.M., Dilmore R., Goodman A., Guthrie G., Rimstidt J.D., Bodnar R.J., Volumetrics of CO2 Storage in Deep Saline Formations, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013; 47 :79–86. https://doi.org/10.1021/es301598t
  24. Wang H., Li Y., Li C., Zhu H., Li Z., Wang L., Medina-Rodriguez B.X., Unveil the controls on CO2 diffusivity in saline brines for geological carbon storage, Geoenergy Science and Engineering. 2025; 244: 213483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.213483
  25. Rashidi S., Shariatipour S., Ahmadinia M., Synthesis of equilibrated geochemical systems using extended Debye-Huckel and Pitzer activity models for enhanced CO2 storage modelling, Gas Science and Engineering. 2026; 145: 205792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgsce.2025.205792
  26. Tong D., Trusler J.P.M., Vega-Maza D., Solubility of CO2 in Aqueous Solutions of CaCl2 or MgCl2 and in a Synthetic Formation Brine at Temperatures up to 423 K and Pressures up to 40 MPa, J. Chem. Eng. Data. 2013; 58: 2116–2124. https://doi.org/10.1021/je400396s
  27. Mutailipu M., Song Y., Yao Q., Liu Y., Martin J.P. Trusler, Solubility and interfacial tension models for CO2–brine systems under CO2 geological storage conditions, Fuel . 2024; 35: 7129712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.129712
  28. Zubeir L.F., Romanos G.E., Weggemans W.M.A., Iliev B., Schubert T.J.S., Kroon M.C, Solubility and Diffusivity of CO2 in the Ionic Liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Tricyanomethanide within a Large Pressure Range (0.01 MPa to 10 MPa), J. Chem. Eng. Data 60 (2015) 1544–1562. https://doi.org/10.1021/je500765m
  29. Dehury R., Sangwai J.S., Pore-scale displacement dynamics of CO2 sequestration in subsurface aquifers: The role of brine salinity and wettability, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 13 (2025) 117649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.117649
  30. Bhattacherjee R., Pradhan S., Aichele C., Pashin J.C., Chakraborty G., Bikkina P., Predicting CO2 solubility in brines using density as a proxy for detailed compositional data: A data-driven modeling approach, Chemical Engineering Journal. 2025; 520: 166174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.166174
  31. Liu K., Bian X.-Q., Chen J., Li J., Wang Y.-P., Predicting CO2 solubility in water and brines using advanced machine learning models, Geoenergy Science and Engineering. 2026; 257: 214234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2025.214234
  32. Wang Z., Small M.J., Karamalidis A.K., Multimodel Predictive System for Carbon Dioxide Solubility in Saline Formation Waters, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013; 47: 1407–1415. https://doi.org/10.1021/es303842j
  33. Mohammadian E., Hamidi H., Asadullah M., Azdarpour A., Motamedi S., Junin R., Measurement of CO2 Solubility in NaCl Brine Solutions at Different Temperatures and Pressures Using the Potentiometric Titration Method, J. Chem. Eng. Data. 2015; 60: 2042–2049. https://doi.org/10.1021/je501172d
  34. Zhao H., Dilmore R., Allen D.E., Hedges S.W., Soong Y., Lvov S.N., Measurement and Modeling of CO2 Solubility in Natural and Synthetic Formation Brines for CO2 Sequestration, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2015; 49: 1972–1980. https://doi.org/10.1021/es505550a
  35. Gandomkar A., Torabi F., Nasriani H.R., Enick R.M., Maximising CO2 sequestration efficiency in deep saline aquifers through in-situ generation of CO2-in-brine foam incorporating novel CO2-soluble non-ionic surfactants, Chemical Engineering Journal. 2025; 521:166102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.166102
  36. Bhattacherjee R., Botchway K., Pashin J.C., Chakraborty G., Bikkina P., Machine learning-based prediction of CO2 fugacity coefficients: Application to estimation of CO2 solubility in aqueous brines as a function of pressure, temperature, and salinity, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. 2023; 128: 103971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2023.103971
  37. Ratnakar R.R., Chaubey V., Dindoruk B., A novel computational strategy to estimate CO2 solubility in brine solutions for CCUS applications, Applied Energy. 2023; 342: 121134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121134
  38. Sun X., Wang Z., Li H., He H., Sun B., A simple model for the prediction of mutual solubility in CO2-brine system at geological conditions, Desalination. 20215; 04:114972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2021.114972
  39. Hassanzadeh H., Pooladi-Darvish M., Keith D.W., Accelerating CO2 Dissolution in Saline Aquifers for Geological Storage — Mechanistic and Sensitivity Studies, Energy Fuels. 2009; 23: 3328–3336. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef900125m
  40. Turkson J.N., Md Yusof M.A., Olutoki J.O., Tackie-Otoo B.N., Adenutsi C.D., Fjelde I., Sokama-Neuyam Y.A., Darkwah-Owusu V., Integrating nature-inspired optimization techniques and machine learning for accurate CO2/brine interfacial tension estimation: Implications for CO2 sequestration and uncertainty analysis, Gas Science and Engineering. 2026; 145: 205796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgsce.2025.205796
  41. Darkwah-Owusu V., Md Yusof M.A., Sokama-Neuyam Y.A., Fjelde I., Nguku A., Turkson J.N., Rosdi N., Vasudevan M., Alakbari F.S., Integrated geochemical modeling and experimental study of acid treatments for enhancing CO2 injectivity: Implications for geological CO2 storage, Geoenergy Science and Engineering. 2025; 249: 213793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2025.213793
  42. Tong D., Trusler J.P.M., Vega-Maza D., Solubility of CO2 in Aqueous Solutions of CaCl2 or MgCl2 and in a Synthetic Formation Brine at Temperatures up to 423 K and Pressures up to 40 MPa, J. Chem. Eng. Data .2013; 58: 2116–2124. https://doi.org/10.1021/je400396s
  43. Mohammadpour A., Mirzaei M., Azimi A., Ghomsheh S.M.T., Solubility and absorption rate of CO2 in MEA in the presence of graphene oxide nanoparticle and sodium dodecyl sulfate, International Journal of Industrial Chemistry. 2019; 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40090-019-0184-5
  44. Rathnaweera T.D., Ranjith P.G., Perera M.S.A., Haque A., Influence of CO2–Brine Co-injection on CO2 Storage Capacity Enhancement in Deep Saline Aquifers: An Experimental Study on Hawkesbury Sandstone Formation, Energy Fuels. 2016; 30 : 4229–4243. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b00113
  45. Nowrouzi I., Mohammadi A.H., Manshad A.K., Water-oil interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and wettability alteration in surfactant flooding process using extracted saponin from Anabasis Setifera plant, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 189 (2020) 106901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.106901
  46. Alotaibi M.B., Yousef A.A., The Role of Individual and Combined Ions in Waterflooding Carbonate Reservoirs: Electrokinetic Study, SPE Res Eval & Eng 20 (2016) 077–086. https://doi.org/10.2118/177983-PA
  47. Alshammari S., Abdel-Azeim S., Al-Yaseri A., Qasim A., The Influence of CH4 and CO2 on the Interfacial Tension of H2–Brine, Water–H2–Rock Wettability, and Their Implications on Geological Hydrogen Storage, Energy Fuels 38 (2024) 15834–
  48. 15847. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c02234
  49. Manshad A.K., Mobaraki M., Ali J.A., Abdulrahman A.F., Jaf P.T., Bahraminejad H., Akbari M., Biphasic interfacial functioning improvement using naturally derived Hop and Dill surfactants in carbonate reservoirs, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 12 (2024) 112365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.112365
  50. Alzobaidi S., Lotfollahi M., Kim I., Johnston K.P., DiCarlo D.A., Carbon Dioxide-in-Brine Foams at High Temperatures and Extreme Salinities Stabilized with Silica Nanoparticles, Energy Fuels 31 (2017) 10680–10690. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b01814
  51. Akindipe D., Saraji S., Piri M., Carbonated Water Injection in Oil-Wet Carbonate Rock Samples: A Pore-Scale Experimental
  52. Investigation of the Effect of Brine Composition, Energy Fuels 36 (2022) 4847–4870. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c00326