ABSTRACT Drilling fluids used in high‐performance well operations often struggle to maintain rheological stability, colloidal dispersion, and filtration control under harsh downhole conditions. This study engineered a multifunctional Fe 3 O 4 @Saponin/Cu(II) nanocomposite to address these challenges. The combination was selected due to its synergistic magnetic, steric, and interfacial stabilization capabilities that enhance compatibility with polymer–clay systems. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by alkaline coprecipitation, coated with saponin for steric protection, and coordinated with Cu 2+ to reinforce interfacial bonding. Characterization by FT‐IR, TGA, and SEM confirmed successful sequential modification, improved dispersion, and increased thermal stability. Dynamic light scattering established 500 ppm as the optimum concentration retaining sub‐100‐nm particle size after several days, while rheological tests showed higher plastic viscosity and yield point without disturbing the Bingham plastic flow behavior. Filtration measurements demonstrated approximately 50% reduction in fluid loss and 44% thinner, denser filter cakes at this dosage. These enhancements arise from nanoscale pore plugging, microstructural reinforcement, and amphiphilic interactions among Fe 3 O 4 , saponin, and Cu(II). Overall, the developed nanocomposite offers a stable, sustainable additive that strengthens drilling fluid performance and holds potential for field‐scale deployment.
Attabi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.