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Related Concept Videos

Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing02:39

Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing

Heating a crystalline solid increases the average energy of its atoms, molecules, or ions, and the solid gets hotter. At some point, the added energy becomes large enough to partially overcome the forces holding the molecules or ions of the solid in their fixed positions, and the solid begins the process of transitioning to the liquid state or melting. At this point, the temperature of the solid stops rising, despite the continual input of heat, and it remains constant until all of the solid is...
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Hydronium and hydroxide ions are present both in pure water and in all aqueous solutions, and their concentrations are inversely proportional as determined by the ion product of water (Kw). The concentrations of these ions in a solution are often critical determinants of the solution’s properties and the chemical behaviors of its other solutes. Two different solutions can differ in their hydronium or hydroxide ion concentrations by a million, billion, or even trillion times. A common means of...
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Strong Acid and Base Solutions

A strong acid is a compound that dissociates completely in an aqueous solution and produces a concentration of hydronium ions equal to the initial concentration of acid. For example, 0.20 M hydrobromic acid will dissociate completely in water and produces 0.20 M of hydronium ions and 0.20 M of bromide ions.
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Potential Due to a Polarized Object

A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...
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Electrochemical Systems

Electrochemical systems provide a fascinating insight into the dynamic interplay of charged species within various phases. One notable example is the interaction between a membrane permeable to K⁺ ions but not to Cl⁻ ions, separating an aqueous KCl solution from pure water. As K⁺ ions diffuse through the membrane, they generate net charges on each phase, leading to a potential difference between them.Similarly, when a piece of Zn is immersed in an aqueous ZnSO₄ solution, the Zn metal, composed...
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Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
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Thiolactone ring dynamics in dimeric lipids enable pH-switchable supramolecular tuning in surface-engineered quantum

Pranay Saha1, Parikshit Moitra2, Sayan Bera1

  • 1School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata 700032, India.

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|February 18, 2026
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Summary

Researchers engineered quantum dots (QDs) with pH-sensitive ligands using thiolactone chemistry. This allows for reversible self-assembly of adaptive nanomaterials for diverse applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Stimuli-responsive ligands on semiconductor nanocrystals are key for adaptive nanomaterials.
  • Quantum dots (QDs) offer unique optical properties for various applications.
  • Controlling QD assembly and stability in biological environments remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel strategy for pH-sensitive surface functionalization of QDs.
  • To engineer reversible self-assembly of QDs using thiolactone chemistry.
  • To assess the stability and responsiveness of functionalized QDs in aqueous and serum conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized gemini-type dimeric lipids (palmitoyl homocysteine, diPHC) as ligands for CdSe/ZnS and CuInZnS2 QDs.
  • Employed thiolactone ring-opening and closing chemistry for pH-dependent ligand interactions.
  • Characterized QD assembly, stability, and photophysical properties using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering.

Main Results:

  • Achieved reversible, pH-sensitive self-assembly of lipidated QDs (LQDs) via dynamic thiolactone bonds.
  • Demonstrated excellent colloidal and photostability of LQDs in aqueous and serum-rich media across pH cycles.
  • Observed enhanced stability and responsiveness of diPHC-functionalized QDs compared to monomeric ligands due to multivalent interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Thiolactone chemistry provides a robust method for engineering pH-sensitive, adaptive nanomaterials.
  • The developed LQDs exhibit tunable self-assembly and maintain performance in biologically relevant conditions.
  • This approach enables the creation of dynamic, modular nanomaterials for sensing, diagnostics, and drug delivery.