Functionalized silicate nanoparticle composition, removing and exfoliating asphaltenes with same

A composition comprising:

• a functionalized silicate nanoparticle comprising a reaction product of
• a silicate nanoparticle;
• and
• a functionalization compound comprising quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary phosphonium salt, alkoxy silane, halide, guanidine, guanidinium salt, biguanidine, biguanidinium salt, sulfonium salt, or a combination thereof;
• and
• a fluid,
• wherein the functionalization compound includes a chemical group comprising:
• a first portion, the first portion being directly bonded to the silicate nanoparticle in the functionalized silicate nanoparticle;
• and
• a second portion comprising an aromatic moiety or a combination of an aromatic moiety and a nonaromatic moiety, and
• the composition is effective to remove an asphaltene particle from a substrate comprising a metal, composite, sand, rock, mineral, glass, formation, downhole element, or a combination thereof,
• wherein the silicate nanoparticle comprises a silsesquioxane, cyclosilicate, inosilicate, nesosilicate, phyllosilicate, sorosilicate, tectosilicate, or a combination thereof,
• wherein the second portion comprises the moiety of formula (4), in which, R1 is an alkyl group, R2, R4, and R5 are each independently aromatic groups, and R3 is a covalent bond or a divalent radical attached to the first portion.