Photo-responsive microcapsules by chemical stitching of graphene oxide for self-healing polymer coatings

The self-assembling process was conducted to fabricate graphene oxide microcapsules containing light-curing epoxy resin based on the Pickering emulsions in a single step. The chemical stability of microcapsules was improved through chemical stitching of GO nanosheets with polyether amine, while the content of epoxy resin reaching above 85 wt%. The entire highly-efficient process was energy-efficient, which ended up without barely wastes and residuals. In addition, the self-repairing coatings also produced satisfactory self-healing property and protective effect, due to the fracture of microcapsules and the reactions occurring under UV light irradiation on the surface of hot-dip galvanized steel.