An Lca Perspective on Membrane Emulsification for Microcapsules to Be Incorporated into Self-healing Concrete

Cement-based materials, vital in construction for their properties, face challenges due to crack formation compromising structural integrity. Thus, self-healing materials have been demonstrated to be crucial in extending structure lifespan and enhancing overall sustainability. More specifically, capsule-based healing, with the encapsulation of a targeted agent, relies on the choice of capsule core and shell material that can both influence the impact on the cementitious material as a whole, and the cracks closure. These systems, able to cope with different crack widths, may lead to improvements in terms of structure durability and a consequent reduction in the frequency of maintenance activities. Nevertheless, the production of microcapsules to be included in the concrete matrix encounters scaling challenges. However, membrane emulsification emerges as a potential solution, offering scalability and consistent product quality that could match industrial demand. In this framework, the present work investigates the environmental sustainability of the aforesaid technology through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis. The study has been conducted using a cradle-to-gate system boundary to evaluate the environmental performance of the production process of the microcapsules, contributing valuable insights towards their impact on sustainability of self-healing cementitious systems.