Proton diffusion on the surface of mixed lipid membranes highlights the role of membrane composition.

Proton circuits within biological membranes, the foundation of natural bioenergetic systems, are significantly influenced by the lipid compositions of different biological membranes. In this study, we investigate the influence of mixed lipid membrane composition on the proton transfer (PT) properties on the surface of the membrane. We track the excited-state PT (ESPT) process from a tethered probe to the membrane with timescales and length scales of PT relevant to bioenergetic systems.

Light-Triggered Reversible Change in the Electronic Structure of MoO Nanosheets via an Excited-State Proton Transfer Mechanism.

Light is an attractive source of energy for regulating stimulus-responsive chemical systems. Here, we use light as a gating source to control the redox state, the localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) peak, and the structure of molybdenum oxide (MoO) nanosheets, which are important for various applications. However, the light excitation is not that of the MoO nanosheets but rather that of pyranine (HPTS) photoacids, which in turn undergo an excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) process.

Controlling pH-Sensitive Chemical Reactions Pathways with Light - a Tale of Two Photobases: an Arrhenius and a Brønsted.

Light-gated chemical reactions allow spatial and temporal control of chemical processes. Here, we suggest a new system for controlling pH-sensitive processes with light using two photobases of Arrhenius and Brønsted types. Only after light excitation do Arrhenius photobases undergo hydroxide ion dissociation, while Brønsted photobases capture a proton.

Photocurrent Generation and Polarity Switching in Electrochemical Cells through Light-induced Excited State Proton Transfer of Photoacids and Photobases.

Light is a common source of energy in sustainable technologies for photocurrent generation. To date, in such light-harvesting applications, the excited electrons generate the photocurrent. Here, we introduce a new mechanism for photocurrent generation that is based on excited state proton transfer (ESPT) of photoacids and photobases that can donate or accept a proton, respectively, but only after excitation.

Application of Super Photoacids in Controlling Dynamic Processes: Light-Triggering the Self-Propulsion of Oil Droplets.

The dynamic control of pH-responsive systems is at the heart of many natural and artificial processes. Here, we use photoacids, molecules that dissociate only in their excited state and transfer their proton to nearby proton acceptors, for the dynamic control of processes. A problem arises when there is a need to protonate highly acidic acceptors.

Exploring the inner environment of protein hydrogels with fluorescence spectroscopy towards understanding their drug delivery capabilities.

Hydrogels are common platforms for drug delivery applications. Amongst the different loading and release methodologies, physisorption loading and passive release stand out for their straightforwardness. However, evaluating the inner environment and the surface of the polymer can be complicated, as they can be very different from the properties of the monomer composing the hydrogel.

Efficient Photosensitizing Capabilities and Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics of Doped Carbon Dots.

Carbon dots (C-Dots) are promising new materials for the development of biocompatible photosensitizers for solar-driven catalysis and hydrogen production in aqueous solution. Compared to common semiconducting quantum dots, C-Dots have good physicochemical, as well as photochemical stability, optical brightness, stability and nontoxicity, while their carbon based source results in tunable surface chemistry, chemical versatility, low cost, and biocompatibility. Herein we show that doping the C-Dots with phosphate or boron significantly influences their excited-state dynamics, which is observed by the formation of a unique long-lived photoproduct as a function of the different dopants.

Use of Photoacids and Photobases To Control Dynamic Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Solutions.

Dynamic self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) for the formation of aggregates takes place out of thermodynamic equilibrium and is sustained by external energy supply. Herein, we present light energy driven dynamic self-assembly process of AuNPs, decorated with pH sensitive ligands. The process is being controlled by the use of photoacids and photobases that undergo excited state proton or hydroxide transfer, respectively, due to their large p K change between their ground and excited electronic states.