ScienceAugust 7, 2026
acetylacetonate
uh-SET-ul-ASS-uh-to-nayt
Definition
A chemical anion derived from acetylacetone, used in this context as a ligand to bind to and repair surface defects on quantum dots.
Etymology
The word is a chemical derivative formed from acetylacetone, which itself is a compound name combining the chemical radical 'acetyl' and 'acetone', reflecting its structural components.
In the news
Researchers used zirconium acetylacetonate to replace bulky ligands on quantum dots, as its small size allows it to reach and passivate atomic defects that were previously inaccessible.
AMiner Finds Ligand Reconstruction Cuts Defects In Quantum Dot Light Emitters
Read the full article ↗Quantum Zeitgeist