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, selfhealing 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.