Wet electrons

Advanced experimental techniques such as pulse radiolysis and time-resolved spectroscopy have been pivotal in detecting and studying the behavior of wet electrons.Wet electrons are produced when high-energy radiation, such as gamma rays, X-rays, or energetic particles, ionizes water molecules.This ionization results in the liberation of electrons, which, instead of remaining free, can become transiently localized due to induced polarization of the surrounding water molecules.This state is highly reactive due to its excess energy, making wet electrons potent reducing agents capable of engaging in various chemical reactions.When generated near the interface of titanium dioxide and water, wet electrons are attracted to the positively charged protonated oxide surface.
Six water molecules form an octahedral coordination shell around the electron. One hydrogen atom from each water molecule "binds" to the electron at a distance of 2.1 angstroms, while the other lies about 3.5 angstroms from the electron.
Octahedral structure of the solvated electron in water inferred from ENDOR spectroscopy. [ 2 ]
chemistryphysicselectronmoleculesolvatedsolvated electronhydrogen bondedhydrogen bondsdanglingpulse radiolysistime-resolved spectroscopytitanium dioxideBibcode