Synthesis of graphene oxide–epoxy resin encapsulated urea–formaldehyde microcapsule by in situ polymerization process

Abstract

A new type of microcapsule has been prepared with urea–formaldehyde (UF) as shell material and graphene oxide (GO)–epoxy resin with acetone as standard solvent between them as the core material. In situ polymerization procedure was used, employing aqueous condition for the synthesis step. The chemical structures of the microcapsules were analyzed using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR). The morphology of the microcapsules was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of various amounts of emulsifier and stirring rates on the sizes and agglomeration properties of the microcapsules were closely studied. The storage stability of the microcapsules over various time limits was also investigated. Thermal stability was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) procedure. The results showed that the successful encapsulation of GO–epoxy polymer complex in the presence of acetone could be done under a controlled environment. Also, the rough outer surface of the microcapsules was composed mainly of urea and formaldehyde. The surface morphology and the sizes of the prepared microcapsules could be controlled by varying many process parameters. The microcapsules showed greater amounts of thermal stability with increasing amounts of GO percentage in the core material. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:636–644, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers