Subscribe to the gold package and get unlimited access to Shamra Academy
Register a new userFirst Observation of Electron Transfer Mediated Decay in Aqueous Solutions: A Novel Probe of Ion Pairing
72
0
0.0
(
0
)
Ask ChatGPT about the research
No Arabic abstract
A major goal of many spectroscopic techniques is to provide comprehensive information on the local chemical environment. Electron transfer mediated decay (ETMD) is a sensitive probe of the environment since it is actively involved in this non-local radiationless decay process through electron and energy transfer steps. We report the first experimental observation of ETMD in the liquid phase. Using liquid-jet X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we explore LiCl aqueous solution, and detect low-energy electrons unambiguously emerging from the ETMD processes of core-ionized Li+. We interpret the experimental results with molecular dynamics and high-level ab initio calculations. By considering various solvation-structure models we show that both water molecules and Cl- anions can participate in ETMD, with each process having its characteristic spectral fingerprint. Different ion associations lead to different spectral shapes. The potential application of the unique sensitivity of the ETMD spectroscopy to the local hydration structure and ion pairing is discussed.
rate research
Read More
Alkali metal dimers attached to the surface of helium nanodroplets are found to be efficiently doubly ionized by electron transfer-mediated decay (ETMD) when photoionizing the helium droplets. This process is evidenced by detecting in coincidence two energetic ions created by Coulomb explosion and one low-kinetic energy electron. The kinetic energy spectra of ions and electrons are reproduced by simple model calculations based on diatomic potential energy curves, and are in agreement with ab initio calculations for the He-Na_2 and He-KRb systems. This work demonstrates that ETMD is an important decay channel in heterogeneous nanosystems exposed to ionizing radiation.
Here, we report the observation of electron transfer mediated decay (ETMD) involving Mg clusters embedded in helium nanodroplets which is initiated by the ionization of helium followed by removal of two electrons from the Mg clusters of which one is transferred to the He environment neutralizing it while the other electron is emitted into the continuum. The process is shown to be the dominant ionization mechanism for embedded clusters for photon energies above the ionization potential of He. The photoelectron spectrum reveals a low energy ETMD peak. For Mg clusters larger than 5 atoms we observe stable doubly-ionized clusters. We argue that ETMD provides a new pathway to the formation of doubly-ionized cold species.
The microscopic theory of chemical reactions is based on transition state theory, where atoms or ions transfer classically over an energy barrier, as electrons maintain their ground state. Electron transfer is fundamentally different and occurs by tunneling in response to solvent fluctuations. Here, we develop the theory of coupled ion-electron transfer, in which ions and solvent molecules fluctuate cooperatively to facilitate electron transfer. We derive a general formula of the reaction rate that depends on the overpotential, solvent properties, the electronic structure of the electron donor/acceptor, and the excess chemical potential of ions in the transition state. For Faradaic reactions, the theory predicts curved Tafel plots with a concentration-dependent reaction-limited current. For moderate overpotentials, our formula reduces to the Butler-Volmer equation and explains its relevance, not only in the well-known limit of large electron-transfer (solvent reorganization) energy, but also in the opposite limit of large ion-transfer energy. The rate formula is applied to Li-ion batteries, where reduction of the electrode host material couples with ion insertion. In the case of lithium iron phosphate, the theory accurately predicts the concentration dependence of the exchange current measured by {it in operando} X-Ray microscopy without any adjustable parameters. These results pave the way for interfacial engineering to enhance ion intercalation rates, not only for batteries, but also for ionic separations and neuromorphic computing.
Thermal gradients induce concentration gradients in alkali halide solutions, and the salt migrates towards hot or cold regions depending on the average temperature of the solution. This effect has been interpreted using the heat of transport, which provides a route to rationalize thermophoretic phenomena. Early theories provide estimates of the heat of transport at infinite dilution. These values are used to interpret thermodiffusion (Soret) and thermoelectric (Seebeck) effects. However, accessing heats of transport of individual ions at finite concentration remains an outstanding question both theoretically and experimentally. Here we discuss a computational approach to calculate heats of transport of aqueous solutions at finite concentrations, and apply our method to study lithium chloride solutions at concentrations $>0.5$~M. The heats of transport are significantly different for Li$^+$ and Cl$^-$ ions, unlike what is expected at infinite dilution. We find theoretical evidence for the existence of minima in the Soret coefficient of LiCl, where the magnitude of the heat of transport is maximized. The Seebeck coefficient obtained from the ionic heats of transport varies significantly with temperature and concentration. We identify thermodynamic conditions leading to a maximization of the thermoelectric response of aqueous solutions.
The formation of stable products of water decomposition under laser exposure of aqueous colloidal solutions of nanoparticles is experimentally studied. Laser exposure of colloidal solutions leads to formation of H2, O2, and H2O2. The dependence of the yield of these products depends on the energy density of laser radiation inside the liquid and concentration of nanoparticles. The ratio H2/O2 depends on laser fluence and is shifted towards H2. There are at least to sources of H2O2, namely, laser-induced breakdown plasma and ultrasound induced by laser pulses in the liquid. The formation of both H2 and O2 is tentatively assigned to direct dissociation of H2O molecules by electron impact from laser-induced plasma.
Log in to be able to interact and post comments
comments
Fetching comments
Sign in to be able to follow your search criteria
