Recent progress on polyimide aerogels against shrinkage: a review

Polyimide aerogels are promising for diverse applications owing to their nanoporous structure and superior performance in thermal insulation, dielectric protection, etc. However, the severe shrinkage they usually suffer has long been a threat, and can pose great challenges to their shape-stable preparation and reliable applications. It is very important to clarify the effects of various factors on the shrinkage of PI aerogels and the effective strategies available for shrinkage reduction. These are also the focuses of the present review, to provide guidance for preparing PI aerogels with greatly reduced shrinkage, and thereby improved shape stability and use reliability. Since the shrinkage of PI aerogels is quite a complex issue, further studies on PI aerogels against shrinkage deserve continuous attention. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

Polyimide aerogels hold great promise for various applications due to their nanoporous structure and excellent performance in thermal insulation and dielectric protection. However, the significant shrinkage they typically experience poses a major challenge for their shape-stable preparation and reliable use. Understanding the factors influencing the shrinkage of PI aerogels and finding effective strategies to reduce it is crucial. This review focuses on providing guidance for preparing PI aerogels with significantly reduced shrinkage, thereby improving their shape stability and reliability. Further research on shrinkage reduction in PI aerogels deserves continuous attention.