The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

The integration of gas phases into solid matrices is a fundamental strategy for thermal insulation. However, precisely controlling the gas-phase morphology while ensuring the recyclability of the material remains a significant challenge. In this study, we propose a new approach to construct recyclable insulators by binding precisely engineered gas-core microcapsules. Using a capillary microfluidic strategy with gas-in-oil-in-water (G/O/W) emulsion templates, we produced microcapsules with ultrathin polymer shells and high structural uniformity. These capsules serve as discrete building blocks that are bound together via a vitrimer-based covalent adaptable network (CAN) acting as a dynamic binder. Notably, the building blocks can be successfully recovered and reused by triggering the chemical degradation of the vitrimer binder. By combining microfluidic precision with a reconfigurable assembly approach, this work demonstrates a novel framework for modular thermal insulation that is both sustainable and reprocessable.