Imprinted networks as chiral pumps.

We investigate the interaction between a chirally imprinted network and a solvent of chiral molecules. We find that a liquid-crystalline polymer network is preferentially swollen by one component of a racemic solvent. This ability to separate is linked to the chiral order parameter of the network, and can be reversibly controlled via temperature or a mechanical deformation. It is maximal near the point at which the network loses its imprinted structure. One possible practical application of this effect would be a mechanical device for sorting mixed chiral molecules.