Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42357541›Full record

ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Advances in Nanoemulsion Characterization Techniques and Their Role in Oil Displacement Mechanisms.

Ruiqi Gong, Xiaoya Feng, Min Ma, Yunlong Liu, Yuqing Li, Fanjun Shi, Xinrui Duan

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ruiqi GongXi'an Changqing Chemical Group Industry Co., Ltd. of Changqing Oilfield, China National Petroleum Corporation, Xi'an 710018, China.
Xiaoya FengXi'an Changqing Chemical Group Industry Co., Ltd. of Changqing Oilfield, China National Petroleum Corporation, Xi'an 710018, China.
Min MaXi'an Changqing Chemical Group Industry Co., Ltd. of Changqing Oilfield, China National Petroleum Corporation, Xi'an 710018, China.
Yunlong LiuNational Engineering Laboratory for Exploration and Development of Low-Permeable Oil and Gas Fields, Xi'an 710018, China.
Yuqing LiXi'an Changqing Chemical Group Industry Co., Ltd. of Changqing Oilfield, China National Petroleum Corporation, Xi'an 710018, China.
Fanjun ShiXi'an Changqing Chemical Group Industry Co., Ltd. of Changqing Oilfield, China National Petroleum Corporation, Xi'an 710018, China.
Xinrui DuanKey Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.ORCID 0000-0003-3776-6141

Funding

Shaanxi Normal University 2024-4426
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nanoemulsions are thermodynamically unstable but kinetically stable colloidal dispersion systems with droplet sizes ranging from 20 to 500 nm. With their high specific surface area, excellent optical properties, tunable rheology, and remarkable penetration ability, these systems demonstrate enormous potential in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This paper systematically reviews the significant advances in nanoemulsion characterization techniques and oil displacement mechanisms. The nanoemulsion characterization techniques are examined, covering a comprehensive multi-scale characterization system from particle size and distribution analysis (e.g., dynamic light scattering, laser diffraction), micro-morphology and structure visualization (e.g., transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy), and interface and surface property characterization (e.g., interfacial tension measurement, zeta potential analysis) to stability and rheology assessment, as well as chemical composition and structure analysis. Furthermore, core mechanisms of nanoemulsions in oil displacement processes are briefly summarized, revealing multiple synergistic enhancement mechanisms including ultra-low interfacial tension and oil film stripping, rock wettability alteration, emulsification and viscosity reduction, improved fluid flow and injection pressure reduction. Finally, prospects for the potential application of nanoemulsion oil displacement technology in the development of low-permeability, tight, and heavy oil reservoirs are described by analyzing the current challenges such as unclear structure-activity relationships, full-chain stability (including storage, transport, injection, and reservoir aging), and environmental safety, and future research directions are pointed out, including clarifying structure-activity relationships, smart responsive system development, artificial intelligence-assisted design, and pilot-scale validation. Clarifying the link between nanoemulsion characterization techniques and oil displacement mechanisms is of significant academic and engineering value for promoting the transition from empirical application to rational design of related technologies.

Indexed as

enhanced oil recoveryinterfacial tensionnanoemulsion characterization techniquesoil displacement mechanismwettability alteration

Identifiers

PMID42357541
PMCPMC13306057

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.