Nanocapsules for self-healing materials

We report an in situ encapsulation method demonstrating over an order of magnitude size reduction for the preparation of urea–formaldehyde (UF) capsules filled with a healing agent, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). Capsules with diameters as small as 220 nm are achieved using sonication techniques and an u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Composites science and technology 2008-03, Vol.68 (3), p.978-986
Main Authors: Blaiszik, B.J., Sottos, N.R., White, S.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A. Nanostructures
A. Polymer–matrix composites
A. Smart materials
Applied sciences
B. Mechanical properties
Composites
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Self-healing materials
Technology of polymers
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Summary:We report an in situ encapsulation method demonstrating over an order of magnitude size reduction for the preparation of urea–formaldehyde (UF) capsules filled with a healing agent, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). Capsules with diameters as small as 220 nm are achieved using sonication techniques and an ultrahydrophobe to stabilize the DCPD droplets. The capsules possess a uniform UF shell wall (77 nm average thickness) and display good thermal stability. By controlling the ζ-potential, the capsules are uniformly dispersed in an epoxy matrix and shown to cleave rather than debond upon fracture of the matrix. Mechanical properties of the epoxy/capsule composite, including mode-I fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and ultimate tensile strength are measured and compared to previous data for larger capsules (ca. 180 μm).
ISSN:0266-3538
1879-1050
DOI:10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.07.021