Sorption properties of functionalized liquid crystalline networks

J Phys Chem B. 2008 May 29;112(21):6603-8. doi: 10.1021/jp7105082. Epub 2008 May 2.

Abstract

Functionalized polydomain chiral elastomers were obtained by cross-linking side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes bearing acid functions. Sorption experiments were performed by the use of an electronic microbalance, in the presence of one enantiomer of a chiral amine molecule, able to interact with the acid groups. The results showed that Fick's diffusion law is not valid anymore as soon as an interaction between the material and the molecule is present. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the grafting of interacting groups on a chiral elastomer enhanced both the capacity and selectivity toward one enantiomer.