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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2018
Charge Transfer to Solvent Dynamics at the Ambient Water/Air Interface
Paweł J Nowakowski1, David A Woods1, Jan R R Verlet1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Durham , Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom.
Researchers studied electron transfer reactions at water surfaces. They found that solvated electrons at the water/air interface are fully hydrated in less dense water regions.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Surface Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Electron transfer reactions are fundamental to chemistry.
- Understanding interfacial electron transfer is crucial for various chemical processes.
- The charge transfer to solvent (CTTS) reaction is a key example of electron transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of the CTTS reaction from iodide at the ambient water/air interface.
- To resolve the evolution of the CTTS state and the subsequent iodine-contact pair.
- To compare interfacial electron solvation with bulk solvation dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Phase-sensitive transient second-harmonic generation spectroscopy.
- Utilizing three distinct polarization combinations to analyze spectral components.
- Time-resolved measurements to track reaction dynamics over picoseconds.
Main Results:
- Distinct dynamics were resolved for the CTTS state and the electron-iodine contact pair.
- The CTTS state exhibits asymmetric solvation within the surface plane.
- Electron solvation dynamics at the interface are similar but slightly faster than in the bulk.
- A phase shift between 3 and 30 ps differentiates bound and free solvated electrons.
Conclusions:
- The hydrated electron at the water/air interface is fully solvated.
- Solvation occurs within a region characterized by reduced water density.
- Interfacial electron transfer dynamics show similarities yet distinct features compared to bulk water.
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