Research progress on preparation and applications of self-healing microcapsules

LUO Jing; WU Kaiyun; CHEN Yaxin

doi:10.13732/j.issn.1008-5548.2026.02.004

Abstract：Significance Self-healing microcapsules demonstrate significant advantages in enhancing material durability and extending ser-vice life.Conducting research on the preparation and application of self-healing microcapsules is crucial for advancing microcap-sule technology and providing valuable insights for its further development. Progress This paper reviews the healing mechanisms and compositional regulation of self-healing microcapsules,including the selection of shell and core materials based on application requirements.The advantages and development status of different shell materials are summarized,along with a detailed analysis of three types of core materials suitable for self-healing systems.Addi-tionally,the preparation methods of self-healing microcapsules are highlighted,including traditional physical methods,chemi-cal methods,and novel photopolymerization-based technologies.Their respective advantages and limitations are also explored.Moreover,the applications of self-healing microcapsules in anticorrosive coatings,building materials,and other fields are discussed. Conclusions and Prospects Currently,the development of self-healing microcapsules is still facing several challenges.In terms of preparation technology,it is necessary to consider the regulation of microcapsule shell thickness and the loading capac-ity of core materials.More attention should be given to selecting suitable components and tailoring preparation processes based on application requirements.The commercialization of microcapsules requires economic feasibility assessments.Process optimi-zation and the exploration of low-cost alternatives are feasible approaches.The future development of self-healing microcapsule technology will focus on three key directions:materials research,process optimization,and application expansion.In terms of materials research,the development of new shell and core materials will be a critical research focus.Enhancing the strength,stability,and overall performance of shell materials and exploring efficient and multifunctional core healing agents will further expand the application scope of self-healing microcapsules.For process optimization,it is crucial to systematically establish the relationship between preparation parameters,microcapsule structure,and performance.Integrating micro-nano processing and intelligent control technologies will enhance the precision and automation in the preparation process.This will enable more pre-cise control of key parameters such as particle size,shell thickness,and loading capacity,thereby improving the quality and sta-bility of self-healing microcapsules and laying the foundation for large-scale industrial production.Regarding application expan-sion,self-healing microcapsules are expected to be widely applied in aerospace,electronic devices,biomedicine,and energy storage.Expanding their application fields requires targeted design of microcapsule structures and functionalities based on spe-cific application requirements,which in turn places higher demands on new material development.The ongoing development of self-healing microcapsule technology urgently calls for interdisciplinary collaborative research,integrating knowledge and tech-niques from multiple fields to overcome technological challenges.Such efforts will promote the extensive application of this tech-nology across various industries,contributing significantly to scientific progress and economic development.