Tracking Cavity Formation in Electron Solvation: Insights from X-ray Spectroscopy and Theory.
J Am Chem Soc
; 146(5): 3262-3269, 2024 Feb 07.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38270463
ABSTRACT
We present time-resolved X-ray absorption spectra of ionized liquid water and demonstrate that OH radicals, H3O+ ions, and solvated electrons all leave distinct X-ray-spectroscopic signatures. Particularly, this allows us to characterize the electron solvation process through a tool that focuses on the electronic response of oxygen atoms in the immediate vicinity of a solvated electron. Our experimental results, supported by ab initio calculations, confirm the formation of a cavity in which the solvated electron is trapped. We show that the solvation dynamics are governed by the magnitude of the random structural fluctuations present in water. As a consequence, the solvation time is highly sensitive to temperature and to the specific way the electron is injected into water.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
J Am Chem Soc
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany