Tracking Cavity Formation in Electron Solvation: Insights from X-ray Spectroscopy and Theory

Arturo Sopena Moros, Shuai Li, Kai Li, Gilles Doumy, Stephen H. Southworth, Christopher Otolski, Richard D. Schaller, Yoshiaki Kumagai, Jan Erik Rubensson, Marc Simon, Georgi Dakovski, Kristjan Kunnus, Joseph S. Robinson, Christina Y. Hampton, David J. Hoffman, Jake Koralek, Zhi Heng Loh, Robin Santra, Ludger Inhester*, Linda Young*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3262-3269
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume146
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 7 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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