A Versatile Approach towards Multifunctional Robust Microcapsules with Tunable, Restorable, and Solvent‐Proof Superhydrophobicity for Self‐Healing and Self‐Cleaning Coatings

Abstract

Numerous microencapsulation techniques have been developed to encase various chemicals, for which specific processing parameters are required to address the widely differing features of the encapsulated materials. Microencapsulation of reactive agents is a powerful technique that has been extensively applied to self‐healing materials. However, the poor solvent compatibility and insufficient thermal stability of microcapsules continue to pose challenges for long‐term storage, processing, and service in practical applications. Here, an easily modifiable and highly versatile method is reported for preparing various chemicals filled poly(urea‐formaldehyde) microcapsules that exhibit superior tightness against solvents and heat and that possess widely tunable, repetitiously self‐restorable, and solvent‐proof superhydrophobicity. In addition, the low‐cost fabrication of biomimetic multifunctional smart coatings is demonstrated for self‐healing anticorrosion and self‐cleaning antifouling applications by directly dispersing the superhydrophobic microcapsules into and onto a polymer matrix. The methodology presented in this study should inspire the development of multifunctional intelligent materials for applications in related fields.

Self-healable castor oil based tough smart hyperbranched polyurethane nanocomposite with antimicrobial attributes

“…4 Recently, most of the self-healing materials are being developed based on encapsulation and reversible chemistry, with covalent and noncovalent chemical bonds. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The encapsulation approach is achieved by incorporation of microcapsules containing healing agent, which readily polymerizes in the damaged area upon release from the microcapsules. 5,6 Although the approach has a great potential for internally healing but fails to heal a macroscopic damage.…”

Robust, Self-Healing Superhydrophobic Fabrics Prepared by One-Step Coating of PDMS and Octadecylamine

“…Biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces, as inspired by Lotus plant leaves and water striders, have attracted tremendous attraction not only because of its scientific background but also for wide range of technological applications including self-cleaning1234567 anti-fouling89, anti-corrosion101112, oil-water separation13141516171819 and so forth. After decades of study, it has been well recognized that the combination of micro- and nanoscaled hierarchical structures and low surface energy materials is crucial to fabricate numerous artificial superhydrophobic surfaces2021222324.…”

Raspberry-like superhydrophobic silica coatings with self-cleaning properties

“…Barthlott and Neinhuis have demonstrated a perfect self-cleaning behavior of several naturally occurring superhydrophobic plant leaves (especially lotus leaves) during rain shower [1]. The promising self-cleaning properties of the superhydrophobic surfaces have been well-studied in the recent reports [27][28][29]. The self-cleaning performance of the prepared RB-like superhydrophobic coatings is demonstrated.…”