(352z) Tracking of Thiol/Epoxy-Based Crosslinking Kinetics Via Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Low-Field 1h NMR Spectroscopy

In the petroleum industry, new techniques to extract hydrocarbons have greatly increased the number of subsurface well systems. Hydraulic fracturing has enabled increased production of domestic petroleum resources by enabling their recovery from deposits deep within the earth. Unfortunately, wellbore integrity is a serious problem for both operating and abandoned wells as hydrocarbons, brine, and other injected components can leak from micro-fractures; posing a significant risk to overlying resources and the health of humans and surface environments. In order to remediate fractured and/or leaking wellbore systems, strategies which can leverage injectable and cure-in-place chemistries are needed. Here, we investigate the properties of a series of crosslinked polymer systems as a potential technology for healing these leakage pathways. We examine a four-component system consisting of epoxy-functionalized monomers, a thiol cross-linker and a catalyst aiming to understand their curing processes and extract reaction kinetics and thermodynamic information. Curing kinetics are tracked via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and NMR spectroscopy. Pertinent thermodynamic aspects of the curing process are extracted via differential scanning calorimetry while bond-specific reaction evolution is tracked via 60 MHz NMR spectroscopy. Through understanding of the interplay of network composition, pre-cure material properties, and cure kinetics, a better sealant system can be developed and implemented.