Mechanistic study on the properties of self-assembled gels for mining based on the valence modulation of inorganic salt cations

This research aims to enhance the efficacy of dust reduction through water injection techniques on dust sources in coal mine environments. Focusing on a uniform acid distribution water injection method, we investigated the influence of inorganic salt cations on self-assembled gels, analyzing factors such as viscosity, rheological properties, wormlike micelle length, and hydrogen bond formation. The study reveals the internal mechanisms by which inorganic salt cations affect wormlike micelle behavior within self-assembled gels. Results suggest that increasing cationic valence correlates with enhanced viscosity of the self-assembled gel (SSA). Notably, the self-assembled gel containing Al³⁺ (SSA/Al³⁺) exhibited the highest viscosity, reaching 0.48 Pa.s. Both wormlike micelle length and solution potential showed an upward trend, with micelle length in SSA/Al³⁺ solution reaching 154 nm. The SSA/Al³⁺ system formed tenfold more hydrogen bonds than the self-assembled gel without ion addition (SSA/None), indicating enhanced intermolecular forces and promoted cluster aggregation. Micelle radius expanded from 26.21 Å to 53.83 Å. In conclusion, this study analyzes the mechanism by which different cations influence the tackifying effect of self-assembled gels, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the application of self-assembled gels in coal mining operations.