A review on the micro- and nanoporous polymeric foams: Preparation and properties

A great number of studies on new synthetic materials have been focused on the preparation of different porous polymers. This review explains the principles and techniques of polymeric foam formation and their features followed by an overview of papers on polymeric porous materials. Physical blowing agent, phase separation, leaching, etching, and thermal decomposition are the main techniques for foam formation that are briefly described. This discussion covers different polymeric foams with various morphologies, pore sizes, and properties. These polymeric foams can be applied for various purposes, including tissue engineering, membranes in separation process, electrical and thermal insulators, packaging, and scaffolds.