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Volume 115
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Surface-engineered magnetic nanoparticles with carboxymethyl inulin coating for interface-controlled mineral scale inhibition (Open Access)
Abdelrahman T. Abdelaal a, Farah M. El-Makaty b, Malcolm A. Kelland a, Mohamed F. Mady b *
a Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, N-4036, Norway
b Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
10.1016/j.partic.2026.05.004
Volume 115, August 2026, Pages 15-24
Received 16 February 2026, Revised 16 April 2026, Accepted 2 May 2026, Available online 16 May 2026, Version of Record 21 May 2026.
E-mail: mmady@qu.edu.qa
Highlights

• Recyclable Fe3O4@CMI magnetic nanoparticles developed as scale inhibitors.

• Complete gypsum inhibition achieved at 1–5 ppm under static and HPHT conditions.

• CMI coating preserves magnetite structure and superparamagnetic behavior.

• Scale inhibition governed by interface-controlled disruption of crystal growth.

• Enhanced calcium compatibility enables stable performance in saline brines.


Abstract

In this study, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were surface-engineered with a biobased carboxymethyl inulin (CMI) coating to develop a recyclable inhibitor for controlling mineral scale formation through interfacial interactions. The Fe3O4@CMI nanocomposite was synthesized via co-precipitation, achieving a uniform ∼59 wt% polymer layer without altering the cubic spinel structure of magnetite. Comprehensive surface and interface characterization by XRD, FTIR, TGA, VSM, and SEM confirmed the preservation of superparamagnetic properties and effective polymer anchoring via carboxylate–iron interactions. The coated nanoparticles exhibited strong affinity for scaling ions, disrupting crystal nucleation and growth at the solid–liquid interface, as evidenced by morphological transformations of gypsum, calcite, and barite deposits. Under both static and high-pressure-high-temperature dynamic conditions, Fe3O4@CMI achieved complete gypsum inhibition at concentrations as low as 1–5 ppm and maintained full efficiency over multiple magnetic recovery cycles. Enhanced calcium compatibility in saline brines further underscores the stability of the modified surface, preventing secondary precipitation and enabling reliable reuse. These results highlight the critical role of interface engineering in tailoring nanoparticle–scale crystal interactions for sustainable and low-discharge chemicals for oilfield scale management.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Magnetic nanoparticles; Carboxymethyl inulin; Scale inhibition; Recycling; Oilfield management
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