Review on Cell Structure Regulation and Performances Improvement of Porous Poly(Lactic Acid)

Recent advances in the cell structure regulation and performances improvement of porous poly(lactic acid) materials (PPMs) are systematically reviewed in this feature article. First, the typical processing methods, including template method, non-solvent induced phase separation, freeze-drying, and supercritical CO2 foaming, of PPMs are introduced emphatically. Their various cell morphologies by different processing methods are summarized: finger-like, honeycomb-like, fiber-like, through cell, open cell, closed cell, ball-like, and flower-like. Meanwhile, the transformation among different cell morphologies as well as the changes in cell size and cell density, having impact on the performances, is described. Second, the influence of stereo-complex crystals on the cell structure of PPMs is emphatically reviewed. Furthermore, the relationships between cell structure and properties that includes mechanical properties, thermal stability, heat insulation, and hydrophobicity, are elaborated. Eventually, the issues of PPMs worthy of further study are discussed.

Automated summary

Recent developments in the regulation of cell structure and performance improvement of porous poly(lactic acid) materials (PPMs) are comprehensively reviewed in this article. The typical processing methods of PPMs, including template method, non-solvent induced phase separation, freeze-drying, and supercritical CO2 foaming, are introduced in detail. The different cell morphologies achieved by these methods, such as finger-like, honeycomb-like, fiber-like, through cell, open cell, closed cell, ball-like, and flower-like, are summarized. The impact of stereo-complex crystals on the cell structure of PPMs is emphasized, and the relationship between cell structure and properties, such as mechanical properties, thermal stability, heat insulation, and hydrophobicity, is elaborated. Finally, further research directions for PPMs are discussed.