Advances in Shape Memory Polymer Porous Materials: Fabrications, Microstructures, and Applications

As an essential branch of smart materials, shape memory polymer materials (SMPs) have made substantial advances in fabrication strategies, microstructure design, and response methods. Shape memory polymer porous materials (SMPPMs), combining the advantages of SMPs and porous materials, feature lightweight properties, tunable micro/nanostructures, large specific surface areas, and programmable shapes, which have attracted important attention across a wide range of applications. This study focuses on 2 types of SMPPMs: shape memory foams and shape memory aerogels. This review systematically examines the fabrication strategies for SMPPMs, including gas foaming, template, freeze-drying, and 4-dimensional printing methods, deeply analyzes the impact of fabrication strategies on their micro/nanostructures, and summarizes their latest applications in areas such as smart thermal protection systems for aerospace, minimally invasive biomedical devices, and high-sensitivity smart sensors. This review analyzes the current state of research and future trends in SMPPMs from multiple perspectives, including material design, structural design, and response strategies. The design of SMPPMs requires integration with actual application needs, achieved through appropriate selection of polymer matrices and optimized micro/nanostructure designs to improve material performance. Furthermore, the review also introduces current challenges and development trends related to SMPPMs, including advanced, sophisticated, large-scale preparation strategies, and efficient, rapid, precise driving methods, as well as applications that integrate multiple disciplines and fields.