A review of membrane-based nanocatalytic systems for enhanced oil recovery

As an innovative approach, membrane-based nanocatalytic systems show great potential in enhancing oil recovery (EOR). However, most reviews focus on dispersed nanoparticles, leaving a critical gap in understanding the design principles and structure-performance relationships of engineered membrane-based systems, particularly the link between molecular-scale mechanisms and macro-scale EOR performance. To address this gap, this review provides a systematic, multi-scale analysis of membrane-based nanocatalytic systems. We first elucidate the microscopic mechanisms governing their performance, including nanoparticle properties, pore architecture effects, and catalytic reaction pathways. We then critically evaluate physical and chemical preparation methods, discussing their impact on catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability. A dedicated section highlights the pivotal role of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in optimizing nanoparticle dispersion, pore structure, and active site identification, bridging atomic-scale insights with macroscopic performance. Specific application cases demonstrate how these systems can improve water injection efficiency by >30% and recovery rates by 2.6-15% in challenging reservoirs. Finally, this paper identify key industrial challenges (scalability, cost, long-term stability) and propose targeted research directions to accelerate the deployment of these advanced systems for sustainable oil recovery.