Feasibility investigation of self-healing cementitious composite using oil core/silica gel shell passive smart microcapsules

Abstract

This paper presents our work in the concept exploration of a new family of self-healing materials that hold promise for "crack-free" cementitious composites. This innovative system features the design of passive smart microcapsules with oil core and silica gel shell, prepared through an interfacial self-assembly process and sol-gel reaction. Methylmethacrylate monomer and triethylborane were chosen as the healing agent and the catalyst, and were microencapsulated respectively. The microcapsules were dispersed in fresh cement mortar along with carbon microfibers. For the hardened mortar, self-healing can be triggered by crack propagation through the microcapsules, which then releases the healing agent and the catalyst into the microcracks. Polymerization of the healing agent is initiated by contact with the catalyst, bonding the crack faces. Surface analytical tools such as optical microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope were used to examine the localized morphology and encapsulation of the passive smart microcapsules. The self-healing effect was evaluated using gas permeability and electrochemical impedance measurements.