Hybridized cellulose nanocrystals enhanced the temperature resistance and viscoelasticity of the fracturing fluid network

This study aimed to fabricate a novel, low-cost, and environmental-friendly cellulose composite hydrogels based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) via hybridizing methods. The performance of composite hydrogels was characterized and the nanocrystals enhancing hydrogels performance mechanism was analyzed, which showed that the apparent viscosity, temperature tolerance, elastic modulus, and tensile strength of cellulose hydrogels were improved by CNCs. Compared with the cellulose hydrogels, the viscosity of the cellulose composite hydrogels at 120 °C reached 195 mPa·s, with an increase of 200 %, and the elastic modulus was 30 Pa, with an increase of about 253 %. Furthermore, the microscopic analysis revealed that CNCs can play the role of nucleus and skeleton in the network structure of cellulose composite hydrogels and obviously enhanced the strength of the network structure. It is obvious to improve the performance of cellulose hydrogels by adding CNCs into the cellulose composite hydrogels. This method provides a new idea for the development of fracturing fluids suitable for unconventional reservoirs.