Development of organic solvent-induced shape memory poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) monoliths for expandable oil absorbers

•Development of porous EVA monoliths by a facile thermally induced phase separation method.•Integration of uniform porous structure and thermal/organic solvent responsive shape memory behavior in commercial polymer-based monoliths.•Organic solvent-actuated shape recovery effect provides a general strategy for developing expandable commercial polymer-based monoliths with high volumetric oil absorption capacity.