In situpoly(urea-formaldehyde) microencapsulation of dicyclopentadiene

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Abstract
Microencapsulated healing agents that possess adequate strength, long shelf-life and excellent bonding to the host material are required for self-healing materials. Urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing dicyclopentadiene were prepared by in situ polymerization in an oil-in-water emulsion that meet these requirements for self-healing epoxy. Microcapsules of 10–1000 μm in diameter were produced by appropriate selection of agitation rate in the range of 200–2000 rpm. A linear relation exists between log(mean diameter) and log(agitation rate). Surface morphology and shell wall thickness were investigated by optical and electron microscopy. Microcapsules are composed of a smooth 160–220 nm inner membrane and a rough, porous outer surface of agglomerated urea-formaldehyde nanoparticles. Surface morphology is influenced by pH of the reacting emulsion and interfacial surface area at the core-water interface. High yields (80–90%) of a free flowing powder of spherical microcapsules were produced with a fill content of 83–92 wt% as determined by CHN analysis.