You're viewing our updated article page. If you need more time to adjust, you can return to the old layout.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Chem., 20 January 2026

Sec. Polymer Chemistry

Volume 14 - 2026 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2026.1773935

Self-thickening mechanism of an amphiphilic polymer during acid rock reaction and performance testing

  • 1. Oil and Gas Technology Research Institute of Changqing Oilfield Company, CNPC, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

  • 2. National Engineering Laboratory for Exploration and Development of Low Permeability Oil and Gas Fields, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

  • 3. Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, China

Article metrics

View details

549

Views

51

Downloads

Abstract

Using acrylamide, methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid as raw materials, an amphoteric ionic self-thickening acid ADAM was prepared. The viscosity changes of ADAM during the acid-rock reaction process were studied, demonstrating that the self-thickening behavior of ADAM depends on the concentration of Ca2+ in the solution. Specifically, the ADAM acid solution demonstrated a post-reaction viscosity increase of 110 mPa s, representing a rise of 183%. Temperature and shear resistance of the residual acid solutions were examined using the HAKKE MARS IV. After 1 hour of shear, ADAM retained viscosities of 123, 83, and 28 mPa s at 90, 120, and 150 °C, respectively. These values exceed those of the ADC system by 162%, 295%, and 211% under identical conditions. The ADAM formulation exhibits effective self-thickening capability, and its robust temperature and shear stability support its potential for large-scale application in high-temperature carbonate reservoirs.

1 Introduction

Acid fracturing is a key method for stimulating carbonate reservoirs (Jain and Mahto, 2015; Zhao et al., 2015; Zhou et al., 2017). The effectiveness of this process largely depends on the acid penetration radius, which is negatively impacted by acid leak-off—the greater the leak-off, the smaller the effective stimulation radius. Conventional acid systems tend to preferentially flow into high-permeability zones, further increasing their permeability while leaving low-permeability zones under-stimulated (Choi et al., 2007; Fu et al., 2025). Consequently, the acid bypasses low-permeability strata, leading to poor acidification effects in these areas (Fredd and Fogler, 1998). To address this issue, self-diverting acid systems have been developed, which rapidly increase in viscosity after reacting with carbonate rock in high-permeability zones, thereby diverting subsequent acid into lower-permeability regions (Guo et al., 2021).

Currently, several chemical process technologies are adopted to enhance acidification effects in heterogeneous oil and gas reservoirs. These techniques include foam acid diversion, viscoelastic surfactant self-diverting acid technology, and in-situ cross-linked acid diversion technology (Cohen et al., 2010), (Kalfayan and Martin, 2009). Among these, viscoelastic surfactant (VES)-based self-diverting acids have attracted attention due to their favorable environmental profile and simple formulation with conventional acids (Abdel-Rahem et al., 2005; Boek et al., 2002; Lynn and Nasr-El-Din, 2001). These systems typically employ cationic or amphoteric surfactants (Schramm, 2000). In cationic systems, the increase in pH and rising concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ during acid–rock reaction shield electrostatic repulsion between surfactant head groups. This promotes a structural transition of micelles from spherical to rod-like or wormlike structures, leading to a sharp increase in viscosity and effective fluid diversion (Al-Sadat et al., 2014). Amphoteric surfactants behave as cations under strongly acidic conditions. As pH rises during the reaction, ionization of anionic groups increases, resulting in a zwitterionic character. The interaction between surfactant molecules and metal ions (mainly Ca2+) induces similar micellar growth and viscosity enhancement, thereby redirecting acid flow toward tighter rock zones. Another approach is in situ crosslinked acid technology, typically composed of hydrochloric acid (∼15 wt%), acid-soluble polymers (often containing carboxyl groups), crosslinkers, and gel breakers (Gomaa and Nasr-El-Din, 2015; Lynn and Nasr-El-Din, 2001). The viscosity of such systems is highly pH-dependent. As acid is consumed in high-permeability zones and pH rises above ∼2, crosslinking is triggered, drastically increasing viscosity—often exceeding 1000 mPa s—and temporarily blocking the treated zone to divert acid elsewhere. However, the use of metal-based crosslinkers in such systems can lead to precipitation during gel breaking or in high-temperature/H2S environments, posing a risk of formation damage (Nasr-El-Din et al., 2002).

In contrast, self-thickening acid systems employ polymers containing hydrophobic groups that enable viscosity enhancement during acid–rock reaction without requiring an added crosslinker. However, most existing self-thickening acids exhibit limited thermal stability and are typically applicable only up to about 120 °C (Ge et al., 2021; Quan et al., 2022; Tang et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2018), restricting their use in deeper or hotter reservoirs where temperatures may reach 150 °C or higher.

To overcome this temperature limitation, we developed an amphoteric polymer, designated ADAM, synthesized via aqueous solution polymerization using acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC). For comparison, a copolymer ADC was also prepared from AM and DMC alone. Our study demonstrates that the self-thickening behavior of ADAM during acid–rock reaction is primarily governed by Ca2+ concentration. The interplay between anionic and cationic groups in ADAM, modulated by Ca2+, leads to viscosity increase while also enhancing the temperature and shear resistance of the spent acid—making it a promising candidate for high-temperature carbonate reservoir stimulation.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Materials

Acrylamide (AM, CP), methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC, 75%), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), ammonium persulfate (APS, AR), sodium bisulfite (SBS, AR), hydrochloric acid (HCl, AR), calcium chloride (CaCl2, AR), calcium carbonate (CaCO3, AR), anhydrous ethanol (>99.7%) were purchased from Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co. 2,2-Azobis (2-methylpropylmimicronitrile) dihydrochloride (V-50, 97%), 2,2′-Azobis (2-methylpropanenitrile) (AIBN, 99%) were purchased from Aladdin’s Reagent Network.

2.2 Instrumentation

INVENIO Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, six-speed rotational viscometer (ZNN-D6B) and HAKKE MARSIV rheometer.

2.3 Synthesis of ADC and ADAM

The 213 g (3 mol) AM, 104 g (0.5 mol) DMC were dissolved in 683 g of water and fully stirred. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 6 with hydrochloric acid to obtain the ADC reaction solution. The 213 g (3 mol) AM, 104 g (0.5 mol) DMC, and 20.7 g (0.1 mol) 2-acrylamido-2-methylpro-panesulfonic acid (AMPS) were dissolved in 662.3 g of water and fully stirred. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 6 with NaOH to obtain the ADAM reaction solution. The system was cooled to 10 °C using an ice water bath and poured into a thermos flask. After deoxygenation by nitrogen for 30 min, 0.048 g (0.0002 mol) of ammonium persulfate, 0.022 g (0.0002 mol) of sodium bisulfite, 0.5 g of AIBN (0.003 mol), and 0.14 g (0.0005 mol) of V-50 were added, and the reaction was kept at atmospheric pressure for 12 h. After the reaction was completed, the product was granulated by a granulator, dried at 80 °C and ground to obtain the white powder products ADC and ADAM. Purified with ethanol, vacuum drying was performed 24 h. The synthetic routes of the self-thickening agents ADC and ADAM are shown in Figures 1, 2, respectively.

FIGURE 1

Chemical reaction diagram showing the combination of two molecules under redox initiation to form a polymer. The reactants are a molecule with an amide group and another with a positive nitrogen group. The product is a repeating polymer unit with similar functional groups.

The synthetic route of the ADC molecule.

FIGURE 2

Chemical reaction diagram illustrating the redox initiation of a polymerization process. Reactants include acrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, and sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate, forming a polymer chain.

The synthetic route of the ADAM molecule.

2.4 Characterization and performance testing

2.4.1 Characterization

The infrared spectra of ADC and ADAM were measured by the INVENIO Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The 1H NMR spectra of ADC and ADAM in D2O were characterized by AVANCE NEO 600 MHz.

2.4.2 Rheological properties

The apparent viscosity of 0.7% ADC and ADAM-thickened acids prepared with different concentrations of hydrochloric acid was tested by a six-speed rotary viscometer (ZNN-D6B) at 25 °C and 100 r/min, and the change rule between the apparent viscosity and acid concentration was studied. The temperature resistance, shear resistance, and viscoelasticity of the prepared sample solution were tested by the HAKKE MARSIV rheometer. The conditions for testing thermal and shear resistance are a shear rate of 170s-1 and temperatures of 90, 120, and 150 °C, with a heating rate of 0.05 °C/s. After reaching the specified temperature, shear is applied for 1 h to observe the changes in viscosity.

3 Results and discussion

3.1 Characterization of polymers

3.1.1 FT-IR

Figure 3 shows the FT-IR spectra of ADC and ADAM. Among them, the characteristic absorption peaks at 2,952 cm-1, 1735 cm-1, and 1,130 cm-1 are the stretching vibration peaks of C-H, C=O, and C-O in DMC. The characteristic absorption peaks at 3,620 cm-1 and 1,670 cm-1 are the stretching vibration peaks of N-H and C=O in AM, respectively. 950 cm-1 is the characteristic peak of the bending vibration of-CH2-N(CH3)3 quaternary ammonium group in DMC. Compared with the FT-IR spectrum of ADC, the absorption peak of the FT-IR spectrum of ADAM at 1,670 cm-1 becomes weaker. This is because the electron-withdrawing induction effect of the sulfonic acid group reduces the frequency of the C=O stretching vibration absorption peak. The above proved that ADAM was successfully synthesized.

FIGURE 3

Two infrared spectra graphs display absorbance peaks. The upper graph, labeled "ADC," is in red with peaks at 3620, 2952, and 950 cm⁻¹. The lower graph, labeled "ADAM," is in blue with peaks at 1750 and 1670 cm⁻¹. The x-axis represents wavenumbers from 4000 to 1000 cm⁻¹.

The FT-IR spectra of ADC and ADAM.

3.1.2 1H NMR

Figure 4 shows the 1H NMR spectra of ADC and ADAM. As shown in Figure 4, δ 4.79 is the D2O solvent peak; the proton peaks at δ 1.58–1.88 (a) and δ 2.16–2.17 (b) correspond to the hydrogens in the -CH2- and -CH- groups on the main chain of the molecule; in the 1H NMR spectrum of ADC, the proton peak at δ 1.15 (c) corresponds to the hydrogens in the -CH3 group of DMC; the proton peaks at δ 4.03 (d), δ 3.48 (e), and δ 3.17 (f) correspond to the hydrogens in the -O-CH2, -CH2-N, and -N-(CH3)3 groups of DMC, respectively; in the 1H NMR spectrum of p (ADAM), the proton peak at δ 1.46 (g) corresponds to the hydrogens in the -CH3 group of AMPS; the proton peak at δ 3.50 (h) corresponds to the hydrogens in the -CH2- group of AMPS. The 1H NMR data confirm the successful synthesis of ADC and ADAM.

FIGURE 4

Two NMR spectra are shown comparing ADC and ADAM, labeled in separate panels. Peaks are labeled with letters and correspond to different chemical environments, with molecular structures depicted above each spectrum. Both spectra show signals and labels, and D2O is noted on the charts.

1H NMR spectra of ADC and ADAM.

3.2 Rheological properties

3.2.1 Study on thickening mechanism of ADC and ADAM acid solution

ADAM molecular chain contains both C-N(CH3)3 cationic group on DMC and -SO3Na anionic group on AMPS. -SO3Na has a good chelating effect on metal cations, which is the main factor affecting the thickening performance of ADAM acid solution. To validate this factor, fresh acid solution, residual acid solution and simulated residual acid solution of ADC and ADAM were configured to test their viscosity.

The 0.7 wt% ADC fresh acid solution was obtained by completely dissolving 1.4 g of ADC in 198.6 g of 20 wt% hydrochloric acid. The residual acid solution with a hydrochloric acid mass fraction of 15%, 10%, 5%, and ∼0% was obtained by completely swelling the 0.7% ADC fresh acid solution and adding 13.7, 27.4, 41.1, and 54.8 g of CaCO3 powder according to the reaction relationship between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate (molar ratio of 2:1). ADAM was used instead of ADAM to obtain a fresh acid solution of ADAM and a residual acid solution of different acid concentrations. According to the reaction relationship between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate (molar ratio of 2:1), a simulated residual acid solution was prepared with CaCl2 and different concentrations of hydrochloric acid. For example, during the acid-rock reaction, 15 g (0.411 moL) of HCl was consumed from 100 g of fresh acid (20 wt%) and 22.8 g (0.205 moL) of CaCl2 was generated to obtain a 5% residual acid solution. Therefore, a simulated 5% residual acid solution was prepared with 77.2 g of 5% hydrochloric acid and 22.8 g of CaCl2. The ratio of hydrochloric acid to CaCl2 in the residual acid solution with different acid rock reaction degrees is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Simulated concentration of hydrochloric acid 20% 15% 10% 5% ∼0%
Addition of hydrochloric acid 100 g of 20% hydrochloric acid 92.47 g of 15% hydrochloric acid 84.94 g of 10% hydrochloric acid 77.2 g of 5% hydrochloric acid 69.88 g of water
Addition of CaCl2 0 g 7.53 g 15.06 g 22.8 g 30.12 g

Configuration of residual acid solution with different acid–rock reaction degrees.

The percentages in the table are mass fractions.

Figure 5 shows the change rule of the viscosity of ADC and ADAM two kinds of acid solution, with the acid rock reaction, as can be seen from the figure, the viscosity of ADAM fresh acid solution is 60  mPa s, with the viscosity of ADC fresh acid solution (150  mPa s) is much smaller. This is because in the ADAM molecular chain contains both cationic groups and anionic groups, dissolved in water, the two are attracted to each other, the ADAM molecular chain curls, the viscosity is smaller. However, as the acid rock reaction proceeded, the viscosity of the ADAM acid solution gradually increased (60 mPa s to 153 mPa s), while the viscosity of the ADC acid solution gradually decreased (150–120 mPa s). This is because in the process of acid rock reaction, the concentration of Ca2+ in the solution is increasing, for the ADAM molecular chain, Ca2+ enters into the solution, because its polarity is stronger than the cationic group in DMC, it is easier to chelate with -SO3Na in AMPS, so that the ADAM molecular chain is stretched, and the viscosity of the solution is increased. In contrast, Ca2+ enters the ADC acid solution because Ca2+ and the cationic groups repel each other, forcing the ADC molecular chains to curl up and the viscosity of the solution to decrease.

FIGURE 5

Line graph depicting apparent viscosity in millipascal-seconds versus HCl weight percentage. Line "a" in red shows an increase from 60 to 150 as HCl decreases. Line "b" in black shows a gradual decrease.

The variation of viscosity of ADC and ADAM acid solution with acid concentration.

In order to further verify that the different patterns of change in the viscosity of the two acid solutions, ADAM and ADC, are due to Ca2+. ADAM and ADC acid solutions of 0.7% were prepared with different mass fractions of hydrochloric acid, respectively. A 0.7% solution of ADAM and ADC acids was prepared with simulated residual acids prepared with CaCl2 and different concentrations of hydrochloric acid. The viscosities of the four solutions were tested. The test results are shown in Figure 6.

FIGURE 6

Line graph depicting the apparent viscosity in millipascal seconds versus hydrochloric acid concentration in weight percent. Six lines, labeled a to f, show varying trends. Line e has the highest viscosity increase, while line f decreases significantly. Lines b, c, and d show moderate increases, and line a remains relatively flat.

Changing law of viscosity of different acid solutions with acid concentration(a) ADAM residual acid solution; (b) ADAM prepared solutions with different mass fractions of hydrochloric acid; (c) ADAM simulated residual acid solution; (d) ADC residual acid solution; (e) ADC prepared solutions with different mass fractions of hydrochloric acid; (f) ADC simulated residual acid solution.

As can be seen from Figure 6, the viscosity of the three different solutions of ADAM gradually becomes larger with decreasing acid concentration, as shown in the three curves in Figures 6a–c. However, the magnitude of the change in the three curves is different. Comparison of the viscosities of ADAM simulated residual acid solutions and ADAM acid solutions prepared with different mass fractions of hydrochloric acid shows that the simulated residual acid solutions have a higher viscosity than the solutions without the introduction of Ca2+ when the acid concentration is reduced to 0% (183 and 87 mPa s, respectively). The viscosity of ADAM acid solutions prepared with different mass fractions of hydrochloric acid increases because the H+ in the solution causes the amide group in the ADAM molecular chain to curl up, and the viscosity increasing effect is poor. The acid concentration decreases, the molecular chain stretches and the viscosity increases. Comparison of the final viscosities of the two curves a, c proves that Ca2+ is the main reason affecting the viscosity increase of the ADAM acid solution. Comparing the ADAM residual acid solution and the simulated residual acid solution, the viscosity of the simulated residual acid solution is greater than that of the residual acid solution when the acid concentration is reduced to 0%. This is because the residual acid solution is obtained by the reaction between HCl and CaCO3, and after the proportional addition of CaCO3, the H+ in the solution is not fully reacted, and the pH is less than 4, which inhibits the stretching of some of the molecular chains. The pattern of change in viscosity of the three ADC solutions varies with acid concentration. Comparing the three curves, the introduction of Ca2+ into the solution makes the viscosity smaller and the absence of Ca2+ makes the viscosity larger. This is because Ca2+ and the cationic groups in DMC repel each other, causing the ADC molecular chain to curl up and the solution viscosity to decrease. The viscosity increasing principle is shown in Figure 7.

FIGURE 7

Illustration showing acid-rock reactions for ADAM and ADC solutions. The "fresh acid solution of ADAM" features carbon backbones with anionic and cationic groups. After reaction, "residual acid solution of ADAM" includes calcium ions. The "fresh acid solution of ADC" exhibits similar structures, with residual solutions also containing calcium ions. A key indicates blue for carbon backbones, green for anionic groups, red for cationic groups, and gray circles for calcium ions.

Schematic representation of changes in the state of ADAM and ADC molecular chains as the acid rock reaction progresses.

3.2.2 Temperature and shear resistance test

As the depth of the reservoir increases, so does the temperature of the reservoir. The more temperature and shear resistant the residual acid solution is, the more it will allow the acid to enter the hypotonic formation and increase the efficiency of acidification. Therefore, the temperature and shear resistance of the residual acid solution is one of the main indicators for evaluating the performance of self-thickening acids. The rheological properties of the residual acid solutions of ADAM and ADC were tested at different temperatures, and the variation rule of viscosity with temperature and time is shown in Figure 8.

FIGURE 8

Three graphs labeled a, b, and c display apparent viscosity and temperature over time in seconds. Each graph shows three lines: ADAM (blue), ADC (green), and Temperature (red). In all graphs, ADAM generally decreases, ADC also decreases, while Temperature increases rapidly then stabilizes. Graphs illustrate variations in viscosity and temperature dynamics during the process.

Shear resistance tests of ADAM and ADC residual acid solutions at different temperatures; (a) 90 °C; (b) 120 °C; (c) 150 °C.

As can be seen in Figure 8, the viscosity of the solution continues to decrease with increasing temperature and shear time. Figures 8a shows the shear resistance test of two residual acid solutions at 90 °C. From the figure, it can be seen that the starting viscosity of ADAM is 170 mPa s, and the viscosity is 123 mPa s after shearing at 90 °C for 1 h. In comparison, the residual viscosity of the ADC residual acid solution was 47 mPa s after 1 h of shearing at 90 °C. The viscosity of the ADAM residual acid solution after shearing at 90 °C for 1 h increased by 162% compared to the ADC residual acid solution. In Figures 8b,c, the viscosity of the solution decreases sharply when the temperature is increased to 120 °C, which is caused by the fact that at that temperature the molecular chains start to be destroyed in large quantities (Zhang et al., 2023). The residual viscosities of ADAM residual acid solution after shearing at 120 °C and 150 °C for 1 h were 83 and 28 mPa s, respectively, and the residual viscosities of ADC residual acid solution after shearing at 120 °C and 150 °C for 1 h were 21 and 9 mPa s, respectively, with viscosity increases of 295% and 211%. The temperature and shear resistance of ADAM residual acid solution is stronger than that of ADC residual acid solution, and it is more suitable for acid fracturing modification of high-temperature carbonate reservoirs.

3.2.3 Evaluation of solution viscoelasticity

As can be seen from the Figure 9, with the progress of the acid-rock reaction, the G′ of the ADC solution is greater than G″, and the solution changes from weakly elastic to viscous. This is because the acid-rock reaction increases the concentration of Ca2+, causing the ADC molecular chains to curl. On the other hand, the ADAM solution changes from weakly elastic to elastic, indirectly proving that Ca2+ is the main factor in the self-thickening of ADAM.

FIGURE 9

Two sets of line graphs show rheological properties. Top: (a) and (b) display G' and G" vs. shear stress and frequency, respectively, for polymer concentrations of 0%, 10%, and 20%. Bottom: (a) and (b) show similar datasets highlighting shear stress and frequency effects on the same properties. Lines differentiate G' and G" with various concentrations.

∼10 show the viscoelastic evaluation of ADC and ADAM solutions at different acid concentrations.

The introduction of amphoteric ions enables the self-thickening of ADAM fresh acid solution during acid-rock reactions, because the positive charge carried by Ca2+ produced during the acid-rock reaction is stronger than the cationic groups in DMC. Therefore, Ca2+ chelates with -SO3-, releasing the cationic groups in DMC, which increases the viscosity. The starting viscosity of ADAM spent acid solution is higher, and -SO3- can provide the polymer with a certain degree of temperature resistance.

4 Conclusion

ADC acid liquid thickener was synthesised using AM and DMC as raw materials, on the basis of which ADAM was synthesised by introducing AMPS. ADAM is an amphoteric polymer, and its fresh acid solution can achieve self-thickening phenomenon during the acid rock reaction without adding cross-linking agent. By testing the viscosity of fresh acid solutions, the viscosity of residual acid solutions with different acid concentrations, the viscosity of acid solutions prepared with different mass fractions of hydrochloric acid and the viscosity of simulated residual acid solutions, it was demonstrated that Ca2+ is the main factor that enables ADAM amphiphilic polymers to achieve self-thickening during the acid rock reaction. The viscosity of the residual acid solution obtained after the reaction of ADAM fresh acid solution with CaCO3 increased by 110 mPa s, or 183%, over the viscosity of the fresh acid solution. Residual acid solutions of ADAM and ADC were tested for temperature and shear resistance using HAKKE MARSIV. At three temperatures, 90, 120 °C and 150 °C, the residual viscosities of ADAM residual acid solution after shearing for 1 h were 123, 83 and 28 mPa s, respectively, which increased by 162%, 295% and 211% compared to the residual viscosities of ADC residual acid solution after shearing. The enhanced temperature and shear resistance of the ADAM residual acid solution and its acid self-thickening ability are expected to be used on a large scale in high-temperature carbonate reservoirs.

Statements

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Author contributions

PY: Conceptualization, Methodology, Resources, Writing – review and editing. RY: Conceptualization, Data curation, Methodology, Resources, Writing – original draft. YL: Conceptualization, Methodology, Resources, Writing – original draft. JG: Conceptualization, Resources, Writing – original draft. PL: Conceptualization, Data curation, Methodology, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. ZD: Validation, Writing – original draft. XL: Validation, Writing – original draft.

Funding

The author(s) declared that financial support was not received for this work and/or its publication.

Conflict of interest

Authors PY, RY, and YL were employed by Oil and Gas Technology Research Institute of Changqing Oilfield Company, CNPC.

The remaining author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Generative AI statement

The author(s) declared that generative AI was not used in the creation of this manuscript.

Any alternative text (alt text) provided alongside figures in this article has been generated by Frontiers with the support of artificial intelligence and reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, including review by the authors wherever possible. If you identify any issues, please contact us.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

  • 1

    Abdel-Rahem R. Gradzielski M. Hoffmann H. (2005). A novel viscoelastic system from a cationic surfactant and a hydrophobic counterion. J. Colloid Interface Sci.288 (02), 570582. 10.1016/j.jcis.2005.03.040

  • 2

    Al-Sadat W. Nasser M. S. Chang F. Nasr-El-Din H. Hussein I. (2014). Rheology of a viscoelastic zwitterionic surfactant used in acid stimulation: effects of surfactant and electrolyte concentration. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.124 (12), 341349. 10.1016/j.petrol.2014.09.014

  • 3

    Boek E. S. Jusufi A. Löwen H. Maitland G. C. (2002). Molecular design of responsive fluids: molecular dynamics studies of viscoelastic surfactant solutions. J. Phys. Condens. Matter14 (09), 94139430. 10.1088/0953-8984/14/40/326

  • 4

    Choi J. Kim J. Kim K. Yang S. T. Jon S. (2007). A rationally designed macrocyclic cavitand that kills bacteria with high efficacy and good selectivity. Chem. Commun.11 (11), 11511153. 10.1039/b617005f

  • 5

    Cohen C. E. Tardy P. M. Lesko T. Lecerf B. Pavlova S. Voropaev S. et al (2010). Understanding diversion with a novel fiber-laden acid system for matrix acidizing of carbonate formations. SPE Annu.10.2118/134495-MS

  • 6

    Fredd C. N. Fogler H. S. (1998). Alternative stimulation fluids and their impact on carbonate acidizing. SPE J.3 (01), 3441. 10.2118/31074-PA

  • 7

    Fu Y. Zou J. Tang X. Zhu Y. Yuan X. Du J. (2025). A novel eco-friendly solid acid for deep diversion during matrix acidizing of injection Wells. ACS Omega10 (30), 3294632956. 10.1021/acsomega.5c01705

  • 8

    Ge Y. Zhao Z. Chen X. (2021). Research of a novel double cross-linking fracturing fluid. J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol.11 (5), 21912197. 10.1007/s13202-021-01167-5

  • 9

    Gomaa A. M. Nasr-El-Din H. A. (2015). Effect of elastic properties on the propagation of gelled and in-situ gelled acids in carbonate cores. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.127 (03), 101108. 10.1016/j.petrol.2015.01.031

  • 10

    Guo B. Li Z. Guo J. C. Zhang R. Zhou C. Wu L. et al (2021). Effect of different types of stimulation fluids on fracture propagation behavior in naturally fractured carbonate rock through CT scan. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.201 (6), 108529. 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108529

  • 11

    Jain R. Mahto V. (2015). Evaluation of polyacrylamide/clay composite as a potential drilling fluid additive in inhibitive water based drilling fluid system. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.133, 612621. 10.1016/j.petrol.2015.07.009

  • 12

    Kalfayan L. J. Martin A. N. (2009). The art and practice of acid placement and diversion: history, present state and future. SPE Annu.10.2118/124141-MS

  • 13

    Lynn J. D. Nasr-El-Din H. A. (2001). A core based comparison of the reaction characteristics of emulsified and in-situ gelled acids in low permeability, high temperature, gas bearing carbonates. Int. Conf. Oilfield Chem.10.2118/65386-MS

  • 14

    Nasr-El-Din H. A. Taylor K. C. Al-Hajji H. H. (2002). Propagation of cross-linkers used in in-situ gelled acids in carbonate reservoirs. SPE Improv. Oil Recovery Symp.10.2118/75257-MS

  • 15

    Quan H. Zhen X. Wu Y. Duan W. (2022). Effect of non-crosslinked polymer (ADDA) on acid-rock reactions: synthesis and thickening laws. J. Polym. Res.29 (5), 160. 10.1007/s10965-022-03024-3

  • 16

    Schramm L. L. (2000). Surfactants: fundamentals and applications in the petroleum industry [M]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  • 17

    Tang W. Zou C. Peng H. Wang Y. Shi L. (2021). Influence of nanoparticles and surfactants on stability and rheological behavior of polymeric nanofluids and the potential applications in fracturing fluids. Energy Fuels35 (10), 86578671. 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c04339

  • 18

    Zhang G. Ran Y. Jiang P. Pei H. (2023). A study on the thermal degradation of an acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid copolymer at high temperatures. Polymers15 (12), 2665. 10.3390/polym15122665

  • 19

    Zhao G. Dai C. L. Chen A. Yan Z. Zhao M. (2015). Experimental study and application of gels formed by nonionic polyacrylamide and phenolic resin for in-depth profile control. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.135, 552560. 10.1016/j.petrol.2015.10.020

  • 20

    Zhao J. Yang B. Mao J. Zhang Y. Yang X. Zhang Z. et al (2018). A novel hydrophobic associative polymer by RAFT-MADIX copolymerization for fracturing fluids with high thermal stability. Energy Fuels32 (3), 30393051. 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b03635

  • 21

    Zhou L. Zou C. J. Gu T. Li X. Shi Y. (2017). Cucurbit [7] uril-modified intelligent polymer as acid thickening agent for unconventional reservoir recovery. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.149, 6574. 10.1016/j.petrol.2016.10.021

Summary

Keywords

acid thickener, amphoteric polymer, high temperature resistance, self-thickening, zwitterionic

Citation

Yi P, Yan R, Liu Y, Gao J, Li P, Dang Z and Lin X (2026) Self-thickening mechanism of an amphiphilic polymer during acid rock reaction and performance testing. Front. Chem. 14:1773935. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2026.1773935

Received

23 December 2025

Revised

02 January 2026

Accepted

05 January 2026

Published

20 January 2026

Volume

14 - 2026

Edited by

Faliang Luo, Ningxia University, China

Reviewed by

Guang Zhao, China University of Petroleum (East China), China

Tengfei Wang, Yangtze University, China

Yue Gao, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, China

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Jinhao Gao, ; Peng Li,

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Outline

Figures

Cite article

Copy to clipboard


Export citation file


Share article

Article metrics