Fabrication of microcapsule-type composites with the capability of underwater self-healing and damage visualization

Abstract

Inspired by biology, underwater self-healing polymer composites with damage-healing visible agents were successfully designed and prepared. The healing agents, same as epoxy resin matrices, were encapsulated and embedded into a matrix that contained fluorescent latent curing agents. The results of investigation on healing properties revealed that the fluorescent latent curing agents and the microcapsules in the matrix play two roles. First, the matrix could be self-healed via a crosslinking reaction between the amine group and epoxy resin, in which the amine group could be released from the fluorescent latent curing agents (FLCAs) after exposure to water. Second, the fluorescent dyes released under water could indicate the scratches and healing area visually. Embedding 15 mass% microcapsules and 6 mass% FLCAs in self-healing materials yielded a healing efficiency of 85.6% and the most efficient fluorescence detection. Self-healing materials can be repaired underwater and they show the location of damage, which is of great significance in applications such as water conservation engineering, environmental treatment engineering, ship engineering and ocean engineering.