Self-inflating microcapsules

A method, comprising:

• providing an aqueous solution having an alkaline pH;
• providing an oil including at least one silsesquioxane compound;
• adding the oil to the aqueous solution, the oil forming a plurality of silsesquioxane oil droplets suspended in the aqueous solution, the adding generating an internal osmotic pressure inside the oil droplets by means of a chemical reaction;
• allowing the aqueous solution to osmotically diffuse into the plurality of silsesquioxane oil droplets for a predetermined time;
• and
• polymerizing the silsesquioxane oil droplets by cross-linking the at least one silsesquioxane compound included in the silsesquioxane oil droplets to form a plurality of hollow microcapsules containing the aqueous solution therewithin;
• removing the plurality of hollow microcapsules from the aqueous solution;
• heating the plurality of hollow microcapsules to a temperature in a range of 50 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius to promote polymerization;
• calcinating the plurality of hollow microcapsules at a temperature in a range of 200 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius;
• and
• refilling the plurality of hollow microcapsules with the aqueous solution.