Graphene Oxide for Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Review of Recent Advances, Interfacial Regulation Mechanisms, and Future Perspectives

Graphene oxide (GO), a key derivative of graphene, has attracted considerable attention in energy conversion, environmental remediation, and oil/gas development due to its tunable two-dimensional layered structure, abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, and excellent processability. However, a systematic understanding of the relationships among its synthesis, structure, physicochemical properties, and performance in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) remains incomplete. This review provides an integrated analysis of GO from synthesis to application. Classical oxidation methods, including the Brodie, Staudenmaier, Hofmann, Hummers, and Tour approaches, are comparatively evaluated, with emphasis on how acid systems, oxidants, and post-treatments influence oxidation degree, C/O ratio (typically 1.5–3.0), interlayer spacing, and defect structure. Emerging green and improved strategies are also discussed. We further elucidate the correlations between GO structural features and electronic properties, highlighting the dynamic “structure–property–environment” interplay. Functionalization strategies, including small-molecule modification, polymer composites, and nanoparticle hybridization, are critically reviewed. These approaches effectively reduce interfacial tension (down to 0.0015–0.05 mN/m), altering wettability, and improve mobility control, enabling oil recovery enhancements of up to 30–40% under conditions up to 90 °C and salinity levels as high as 200,000 mg/L. Importantly, this review establishes a unified “synthesis–structure–property–functionalization–EOR performance” framework, highlighting that GO performance is fundamentally governed by its tunable structure and interfacial interactions. This integrated perspective provides new insights for the rational design of GO-based materials. Finally, key scientific challenges and future research directions are outlined to promote the practical deployment of GO in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs. This work offers a systematic knowledge framework and design guidelines for advancing GO-based materials in EOR and related energy applications.