Fig. 1. Synthesis of the microcapsules by interfacial polymerization: (a) Methylolation, (b) Condensation reaction.

Fig. 2. (a) SEM, and (b) TEM images of the microcapsule. The insert is an SEM picture of broken microcapsules.

Fig. 3. (a) FTIR spectra of the PUF microcapsules: microcapsules without the fluorosilane core content (PUF shell), fleshly prepared microcapsules (0 days) and seven days atmospherically exposed microcapsule (7 days). (b) Schematic representation of the migration of the core contents to the shell surface during atmospheric exposure.

Fig. 4. DTA/TGA spectra of the PUF microcapsules: (a) PUF Shell, (b) freshly prepared microcapsules, and (c) 7 days atmospherically exposed microcapsules.

Fig. 5. SEM images of (a) Control (b) 16.5PUF (c) 23.5PUF coated samples. Inserts are the images of the water droplets on the coatings.

Fig. 6. Hydrophobic recovery of the samples after immersion in alkaline solution (a), and oxygen plasma etching (b). Inserts are the images of the water droplets on the coatings.

Fig. 7. XPS spectra of the samples: (a) immediately after plasma etching, (b) after 9-days of self-repairing process.

Fig. 8. F 1s deconvoluted spectra of the plasma etched sample: (a-d) immediately after plasma etching, (e-h) after 9-days of self-repairing process.

Fig. 9. C 1s deconvoluted spectra of the plasma etched sample: (a-d) immediately after plasma etching, (e-h) after 9-days of self-repairing process.

Fig. 10. LCSM images of the samples before and after mechanical damage test. (a) 16.5PUF and (b) 23.5PUF before the test, (c) 16.5PUF and (d) 23.5PUF after the test.

Fig. 11. LCSM images showing the surface roughness of the samples before and after the QUV accelerated weathering test: (a) 16.5PUF and (b) 23.5PUF before the test, (c) 16.5PUF and (d) 23.5PUF after the test.

Fig. 12. (a) FTIR spectra of the coatings after QUV accelerated weathering test, (b) The schematics representing the release of the fluorosilane from the coatings during the test.

Fig. 13. Bode spectra showing the evolution of the impedance modulus against the frequency with immersion time for the different coatings.

Fig. 14. Bode spectra showing the evolution of the phase angle against the frequency with immersion time for the different coatings.

Fig. 15. Equivalent electrical circuits (EEC) used to fit the EIS spectra during the 360 h of immersion.

Fig. 16. Evolution of (a) coatings capacitance (b) charge transfer resistance and, (c) double layer capacitance with immersion time.

Fig. 17. Images of the samples after EIS measurements: (a) CS (b) 16.5PUF (c) 23.5PUF. ‘1′ and ‘2′ are the digital micrographs and SEM images respectively. Inserts are the images of the water droplet on the surfaces of the coating.

Fig. 18. SVET current density maps of the coated samples immersed in 0.1 M NaCl solution.

Fig. 19. Optical images of the artificial defects on the coated samples before and after SVET measurements.