Abstract: A completion tool comprises a mandrel; a swellable element disposed about the mandrel; and a protective layer disposed on a surface of the swellable element and configured to inhibit diffusion of a downhole fluid to the swellable element; the protective layer comprising a degradable textile-based composite.

Abstract: A sealing system for a flow channel comprises a mandrel; a swellable element disposed about the mandrel; and a swell control element disposed on a surface of the swellable element and configured to delay swelling of the swellable element; wherein the swell control element comprises a polymeric matrix that is impermeable to oil, water, or a combination thereof; and a channel inducer dispersed in the polymeric matrix, the channel inducer comprising carbon nanotubes, a hollow fiber, a degradable polymer, an oil swellable material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of forming a polymer composite by exposing a solution that includes nanomaterials (e.g., functionalized graphene nanoribbons) and cross-linkable polymer components (e.g., thermoset polymers and monomers) to a microwave source, where the exposing results in the curing of the cross-linkable polymer component in the presence of the nanomaterial to form the polymer composite. The solution may be exposed to a microwave source in a geological formation such that the formed polymer composite becomes embedded with the geological formation and thereby enhances the stability of the geological formation. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned polymer composites.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of forming polymer composites that include polymers and graphene quantum dots. The methods occur by mixing a polymer component (e.g., polymers, polymer precursors and combinations thereof) with graphene quantum dots. In some embodiments, the polymers are in the form of a polymer matrix, and the graphene quantum dots are homogenously dispersed within the polymer matrix. In some embodiments, the graphene quantum dots include, without limitation, coal-derived graphene quantum dots, coke-derived graphene quantum dots, unfunctionalized graphene quantum dots, functionalized graphene quantum dots, pristine graphene quantum dots, and combinations thereof. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to polymer composites that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the polymer composites of the present disclosure are fluorescent and optically transparent.