Microencapsulated Diepoxy-Functionalized Ionic Liquids to the Design of Self-Healable Epoxy Networks

An extrinsic self-healing mechanism based on microencapsulatedhealing agents represents an original way to produce self-healablethermosetting materials without modifying the structural architectureof the co-monomers. In this work, self-healing was achieved throughpoly(melamine-formaldehyde) (PMF) microcapsules containinga polymerizable diepoxidized ionic liquid monomer denoted as ILEM.First, a synthetic route to design ILEM@PMF microcapsules via in situpolymerization was developed and optimized through the choice of surfactants,core/shell ratios, and stirring speeds. Then, the obtained microcapsules(10 wt %) were incorporated into three different epoxy-aminenetworks and their effects on the morphology, thermal behavior, i.e.,glass transition temperature (T (g)) anddegradation temperature (T (d)), as wellas on the mechanical properties were investigated. In addition, apre-crack was generated with a fresh razor blade into the center grooveof the epoxy networks and their self-healing performances were observedby scanning electron microscopy before and after the curing process.

Automated summary

An extrinsic self-healing mechanism based on microencapsulated healing agents was developed to produce self-healable thermosetting materials. Polymerizable diepoxidized ionic liquid monomer microcapsules were synthesized and incorporated into epoxy-amine networks to investigate their effects on morphology, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties. The self-healing performances of the networks were observed before and after curing process, showing promising results.