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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
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Computation of Atmospheric Concentrations of Molecular Clusters from ab initio Thermochemistry
Published on: April 8, 2020
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Genuine binding energy of the hydrated electron
David Luckhaus1, Yo-Ichi Yamamoto2, Toshinori Suzuki2
1Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Science Advances
|May 17, 2017
Summary
Understanding electron scattering in water is key for radiation chemistry and biology. This study quantifies scattering effects, revealing accurate properties of the hydrated electron.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Radiation Chemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- The role of solvated electrons in radiation chemistry and biology is unclear due to unknown electron scattering effects in water.
- Accurate characterization of the hydrated electron is crucial for understanding these fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To resolve ambiguities in the influence of electron scattering on hydrated electron properties.
- To determine accurate binding energy spectra, photoelectron angular distributions, and probing depths.
- To establish the importance of quantitative scattering simulations.
Main Methods:
- Combined accurate scattering simulations with experimental photoemission spectroscopy.
- Utilized a liquid water microjet for experiments.
- Retrieved scattering parameters from independent photoemission experiments of water droplets.
Main Results:
- Reported genuine vertical binding energy of 3.7 ± 0.1 eV for the ground-state hydrated electron, free from scattering contributions.
- Determined an anisotropy parameter of 0.6 ± 0.2.
- Probing depths indicate vacuum ultraviolet probing is not highly surface-selective.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative scattering simulations are essential for detailed analysis of hydrated electron properties.
- This work provides accurate fundamental data for the hydrated electron.
- Clarified the influence of electron scattering, advancing radiation chemistry and biology research.
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