Amphoterised

Amphoterised is a term used in chemistry and materials science to describe the process of imparting amphoteric properties to a substance. A substance that has been amphoterised can act as both an acid and a base, meaning it can donate or accept a proton depending on the surrounding chemical environment. This dual behavior places amphoterised materials in the broader category of amphoteric or amphiprotic species.

The concept relies on introducing functional features that enable bidirectional proton exchange. Methods include functionalizing a material with both acidic and basic groups, doping or modifying the surface to create amphoteric oxide sites, or incorporating elements that support reversible proton transfer. The result is a substance whose reactivity toward acids and bases changes with pH, enabling diverse applications such as adsorption, catalysis, or buffering.

Examples and context vary. Water is the most familiar amphoteric substance, capable of acting as both an acid and a base. Certain metal hydroxides (for instance, some forms of aluminum hydroxide) and oxide surfaces can exhibit amphotericity under appropriate conditions. In polymers and sorbent materials, amphoterisation is employed to create surfaces that can bind both cations and anions, broadening utility in separation, purification, and environmental remediation.

Usage notes: amphoterised is not as standard or widely used as amphoteric or amphoterism. Some authors may prefer related forms such as amphoterize or amphoterisation. Nevertheless, the term conveys the idea of converting a substance to exhibit dual acid–base behavior.