US Patent 12065614 Branched cellulose-based hydraulic fracturing fluid crosslinker

Hydraulic fracturing fluids include an aqueous fluid, an acrylamide-based polymer, and a crosslinker that crosslinks the acrylamide-based polymer to form a crosslinked gel. The crosslinker includes a cellulose backbone functionalized with branch structures. The branch structures comprise oxiranylalkanol branches or polyoxiranylalkanol branches. Methods for preparing the hydraulic fracturing fluids and methods for treating subterranean formations with the hydraulic fracturing fluids are disclosed.