Self-healing Cellulose Membranes Prepared by Microcapsules Containing UV-initiated Healing Agents

Abstract

A photo-initiated microcapsule with a poly(urea-formaldehyde) shell was synthesized through in situ polymerization, in which aliphatic polyurethane acrylate and photointiator used as photo-initiated healing agents. Then, the as-prepared microcapsules were mixed into the cellulose solution and coagulated in ethyl alcohol to prepare a self-healing cellulose membrane. The results show that microcapsules successfully encapsulated core materials and owns a thermal stable temperature of 212℃. The self-healing behavior can be observed by confocal laser scanning microscope after the damaged cellulose membrane was irradiated by UV light for 20min. Furthermore, FTIR spectra of self-healed membrane indicated the formation of hydrogen bond between healing agents and self-healing cellulose membrane. This study could provide an effective method for extending the life span of cellulose membrane.