The structure and application of amine‐terminated hyperbranched polymer shale inhibitor for water‐based drilling fluid

Amine‐terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP‐NH₂), as an inhibitor in water‐based drilling fluid, is prepared by the polycondensation of diamine AB₂ monomers. The primary amine and secondary amide structures are confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy. Through time of flight mass spectrometry, the molecular weight of HBP‐NH₂ is mainly distributed in the range of 200–1400. Also, the quasi‐spherical shape and the high temperature resistance (200 °C) performance of HBP‐NH₂ are, respectively, certified through the environmental scanning electron microscope and the thermogravimetric analysis. In the inhibition performance test, the linear expansion rate of sodium bentonite in 3 wt % HBP‐NH₂ aqueous solution is only 11.42%, which is lower than other inhibitors (KCl, FA‐367, and HPAM). Zeta potential analysis shows that HBP‐NH₂ has a strong ability to inhibit the hydration and dispersion of sodium bentonite by protonated primary amine groups. Compared with the base slurry, the absolute value of zeta potential is reduced by 25.5 mV in the slurry containing 3 wt % HBP‐NH₂ at 180 rpm. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45466.