LUO Jing，WU Kaiyun，CHEN Yaxin

Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids， Ministry of Education， School of Chemical and Material Engineering，Jiangnan University， Wuxi 214122， China

Abstract

Significance Self-healing microcapsules demonstrate significant advantages in enhancing material durability and extending service life. Conducting research on the preparation and application of self-healing microcapsules is crucial for advancing microcapsule 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. Additionally, the preparation methods of self-healing microcapsules are highlighted, including traditional physical methods, chemical 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 capacity 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 optimization 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 precise control of key parameters such as particle size, shell thickness, and loading capacity, thereby improving the quality and stability of self-healing microcapsules and laying the foundation for large-scale industrial production. Regarding application expansion, 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 specific 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 techniques from multiple fields to overcome technological challenges. Such efforts will promote the extensive application of this technology across various industries, contributing significantly to scientific progress and economic development.

Keywords：microcapsule; self-healing; microcapsule preparation; microcapsule application

Received:2025-02-18，Revised:2025-03-14，Online:2026-09-09

Funding：The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant No. 52273057）.