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Biobased Spore Microcapsules for Asphalt Self-Healing
Erik Alpizar-Reyes1, José L Concha1, Francisco J Martín-Martínez2,3
1LabMAT, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bío-Bío, Concepción 4081112, Chile.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 30, 2022
Summary
This study introduces biobased spore microcapsules for self-healing asphalt pavements. These microcapsules effectively encapsulate rejuvenators, enhancing pavement durability and reducing maintenance costs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Asphalt pavements suffer damage from aging and traffic, leading to costly repairs and environmental concerns.
- Self-healing mechanisms using encapsulated rejuvenators offer a sustainable solution to mitigate asphalt degradation.
- Microcapsule resilience to environmental factors is crucial for effective pavement self-healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate biobased spore microcapsules for encapsulating rejuvenators in asphalt pavements.
- To investigate the encapsulation efficiency and release profiles of rejuvenators from spore microcapsules.
- To demonstrate the self-healing capability of rejuvenator-loaded spore microcapsules in aged bitumen.
Main Methods:
- Natural spores (Lycopodium clavatum) were chemically treated to create clean encapsulants.
- Sunflower oil was used as a rejuvenator, with optimal sporopollenin-oil ratios determined.
- Vacuum, passive, and centrifugal encapsulation techniques were tested, with characterization via microscopy and thermal analysis (TGA, DSC).
Main Results:
- Vacuum encapsulation yielded the highest efficiency (93.02 ± 3.71%).
- Microcapsules demonstrated stability up to 204 °C.
- Biobased spore microcapsules successfully healed cracks in aged bitumen within 50 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Extremely resistant biobased spores are effective for encapsulating rejuvenators, creating resilient self-healing asphalt pavements.
- Vacuum encapsulation is the optimal technique for loading rejuvenators into spore microcapsules.
- This innovative approach offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for extending asphalt pavement lifespan.
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