LAUSR

Graphical Abstract Abstract In this paper, a millimeter-sized temporary plugging agent particles based on polyacrylamide were synthesized by combining microfluidics technology with consolidation mechanism of suspension polymerization, which using W/O emulsion template and with droplet as micro-reaction vessel. The effect of various variables on the gel particle properties was studied so as to determine the best proportion and optimize the preparation process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Digital imaging and SEM were used to characterize the composition and morphology of the PAM gel particle. The results indicated that the obtained PAM gel particle has regular shape and good transparency. And it is concluded that when the molar ratio of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamie (AM) monomers is 5:5, w(K2S2O8) = 0.8%, w(Al(NO3)3) = 1.0%, neutralization degree was 60%, the prepared PAM gel particles has the best performance. The preparation process is simple while the cost is low, so it could be used as a promising temporary plugging agent in future.