Synthesis of Cyanate Ester Microcapsules via Solvent Evaporation Technique and Its Application in Epoxy Resins as a Healing Agent

Bisphenol A cyanate ester/polyglycidyl methyacrylate (BADCy/PGMA) microcapsules were successfully fabricated via a solvent evaporation technique; herein, BADCy is the core material and synthesized PGMA is the shell material. Optimal BADCy/PGMA microcapsules with dense core shell structures were implanted in the bisphenol A epoxy resin (E-51) matrix to fabricate the corresponding (BADCy/PGMA)/E-51 self-healing composites. Results revealed that the optimal BADCy/PGMA microcapsules presented a spherical shape and rough surface, with mean diameter of 31.5 mu m and wall thickness of 2.2 mu m. The core material of. BAD Cy maintained its reactivity after being encapsulated by the shell of PGMA. The BADCy/PGMA microcapsules also presented relatively good thermal stability and proper mechanical stability. Moreover, the fabricated (BADCy/PGMA)/E-51 composite with 8 wt % BADCy/PGMA microcapsules possessed relatively good self-healing performance.