On the Nature of Chirality Imparted to Achiral Polymers by the Crystallization Process

Twisted crystals: Upon crystallization, achiral polymers can form chiral crystalline lamellae, such as right- and left-handed helicoids. The chiral parameter imparted by crystallization is the chain tilt with respect to the lamellar normal. Thus, lamella having crystalline stems tilted to the right from the normal to the basal plane will form right-handed helicoids, and vice versa.