This review provides an overview of microcapsule self-healing technology and its application in the field of cement-based materials, as well as future prospects. The presence of cracks and damage in cement-based structures during service has a significant impact on their lifespan and safety performance. Microcapsule self-healing technology shows promise in achieving self-healing by encapsulating healing agents within microcapsules, which are released upon damage to the cement-based material. The review starts by explaining the fundamental principles of microcapsule self-healing technology and explores various methods for preparing and characterizing microcapsules. It also investigates the influence of incorporating microcapsules on the initial properties of cement-based materials. Additionally, the self-healing mechanisms and effectiveness of microcapsules are summarized. Finally, the review discusses the future development directions for microcapsule self-healing technology, outlining potential areas for further research and advancement.

Cement-based materials are widely used in construction worldwide, but they are vulnerable to environmental stressors and thermal fluctuations, leading to the formation of internal cracks that compromise structural integrity and durability. Traditional repair methods such as surface coatings, grouting, and groove filling are often costly and labor-intensive. In response, self-repairing technologies for cement-based materials have emerged as an innovative and promising solution, offering the potential to significantly extend the lifespan of structures and reduce maintenance costs. A particularly novel approach is the development of microcapsule-based self-repairing concrete. In this system, repair agents are encapsulated within microcapsules and combined with curing agents in the concrete matrix. When cracks form, the microcapsules rupture, releasing the repair agents to autonomously heal the damage. This self-repairing mechanism is characterized by its high efficiency, durability, environmental sustainability, and versatility, making it a promising alternative to traditional repair methods. Recent research has focused on the development of microcapsules with various core materials, such as TDI (toluene diisocyanate), IPDI (isophorone diisocyanate), or epoxy resin, as well as composite shell materials including paraffin wax, PE (polyethylene) wax, nano-SiO₂, and nano-CaCO₃. A novel advancement in this area involves the enhancement of microcapsules through the incorporation of magnetic nanomaterials into the shell, providing new possibilities for self-repairing systems that address cracks in cement-based materials.

Portlandite plays an important role in the hydration phase of cement-based materials and influences the strength and durability of such materials. This study describes a molecular dynamics study of the structure and dynamics of water and ions confined at ambient temperature in calcium hydroxyl nanopores with widths of 35 Å. Strong layering of water in the vicinity of the (001) surface of portlandite demonstrates special structural features such as large density, good orientation preference, ordered interfacial organization and low diffusion rate. Due to the fixed vibration and rotation of the hydroxyl groups at the interface, water molecules within the first adsorbed layer adopt both H-downward and H-upward orientations by donating H-bonds and accepting H-bonds from the OH groups in the solid surface. Regarding the interaction of the ions and portlandite, Na⁺ ions, deeply rooted in spaces in the surface hydroxyl groups, are significantly slowed and remain near the surface for long periods of time. On the other hand, due to the weak H-bonds formed by chloride ions and hydroxyl groups, adsorbed chloride ions near the surface cannot remain for longer times. In addition, when water and ions are confined in the nano-pores, the residence time for the ion–water and ion–ion clusters is lengthened so that the ion adsorption capability of the porlandite surface is enhanced due to the stable Na–Cl connections in the electrolyte solution.

Polymer-modified rejuvenator has a different composition and dispersion behavior to traditional rejuvenators. The objective of this study was to investigate the micromechanism of polymer-modified rejuvenators on the behavior of aged asphalt binder. Firstly, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis was conducted to determine the dispersion effectiveness. Secondly, the dispersal behavior of polymer-modified rejuvenators was studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rheological, toughness-tenacity, and force–ductility analyses of the rejuvenated asphalt binder were additionally performed. The results indicate that the contacted asphaltenic micelles in aged asphalt binder were dispersed by dispersion agent in the polymer-modified rejuvenator, and that the dispersion ability of the polymer-modified rejuvenator was promoted to the commercial rejuvenator level. Additionally, the polymer-modified rejuvenator was found to improve the rejuvenated asphalt binder’s resistance to deformation, through the formation of polymeric network structures in the asphalt binder. The results may be used to improve the performance of rejuvenated asphalt binder in recycled-pavement engineering.