Chiral polyanilines (CPANIs) and their composites have emerged as a unique class of functional materials with wide-ranging applications due to their combination of intrinsic chirality, electrical conductivity, and tunable optical properties. These materials are particularly valuable in enantioselective applications where molecular recognition plays a crucial role. In the pharmaceutical industry, CPANI-based sensors and separation membranes enable precise discrimination between drug enantiomers, critical for ensuring therapeutic efficacy and safety. The materials' chiral environments allow for selective binding and detection of biomolecules through electrochemical or optical signals, making them ideal for biosensing platforms that monitor glucose, dopamine, or other biomarkers with high specificity.

In catalysis, CPANIs serve as effective supports for asymmetric synthesis, where their helical structures provide the necessary chiral induction for producing enantiomerically pure compounds. When combined with metal nanoparticles, these composites demonstrate enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity in hydrogenation and cross-coupling reactions. The optoelectronic applications of CPANIs are equally impressive, with their ability to interact with circularly polarized light enabling advanced photonic devices, optical data storage systems, and security features. Their chiral electronic structures also show promise in spintronics, where spin-polarized electron transport could revolutionize data processing technologies.

Energy storage systems benefit from CPANIs' conductive helical networks, which facilitate efficient charge transport in supercapacitors and batteries. The materials' corrosion inhibition properties have led to their use in protective coatings for metals, where they form stable, passivating layers. In biomedical engineering, CPANIs' biocompatibility and chiral selectivity make them suitable for targeted drug delivery systems that minimize side effects by preferentially interacting with specific biological receptors. Antimicrobial applications exploit their ability to selectively disrupt bacterial cell membranes while remaining non-toxic to mammalian cells.

Recent advances in CPANI composites involve combining them with carbon nanomaterials or metal-organic frameworks to enhance their mechanical stability and functional performance. These hybrid materials are being explored for next-generation applications including chiral quantum computing, artificial enzyme design, and neuromorphic electronics. The ability to precisely control the helicity and doping level of CPANIs through synthetic modifications continues to expand their potential across these diverse fields. Future research directions focus on optimizing their processability for large-scale applications while maintaining their chiral purity and functional performance. The unique combination of chirality, conductivity, and environmental stability positions CPANIs as versatile materials with growing importance in both fundamental research and industrial applications.

Chiral polyanilines and their composites are used in enantioselective sensing and separation, optoelectronics (CPL devices, photonic materials), electrochemical devices (supercapacitors, chiral electrodes), catalysis, biosensors/tissue engineering, and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Chiral polyaniline boasts some fascinating properties that can be utilized in various exciting applications! For instance, it can serve as a sensor to identify chiral molecules, making it a valuable tool in the field of chemistry. Additionally, its unique characteristics allow it to function as a polarizer in optoelectronics, enhancing the performance of electronic devices.

But that’s not all! When combined with metals, chiral polyaniline can facilitate selective hydrogenation reactions, which are crucial in many chemical processes. Furthermore, its composites are perfect for any enantioselective reactions, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness.