Synthesis and properties of a novel plugging agent based on the PAN microspheres with sodium carbonate

A new plugging agent, which derived from the copolymer of polyacrylonitrile, was successfully synthesized by using acrylonitrile as monomer, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate as cross-linker, AIBN as initiator, cyclohexane as solvent, and anhydrous sodium carbonate as the alkaline additive, its structure and surface morphology were characterized using FTIR and SEM. As key investigation parameters, in an aqueous environment, the gel viscosity η and distribution of particle size with different dosage of Na₂CO₃, the gel viscosity η with aging time, and the slow release mechanism of Na₂CO₃ in resulting plugging agent were investigated, its gel procedure was also described.