Impact of electron solvation on ice structures at the molecular scale

TL;DR

This study investigates how electron solvation influences the structure of D₂O ice on Cu(111), revealing that solvated electrons induce permanent molecular rearrangements through vibrational energy dissipation.

Contribution

It combines experimental and theoretical methods to show that electron solvation causes lasting structural changes in ice at the molecular level.

Findings

Solvated electrons induce permanent structural rearrangements.

Changes are localized near dangling OH groups.

Energy dissipation triggers vibrational excitation leading to rearrangement.

Abstract

We determine the impact of electron solvation on D$_2$O structures adsorbed on Cu(111) with low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, two-photon photoemission, and ab initio theory. UV photons generating solvated electrons lead not only to transient, but also to permanent structural changes through the rearrangement of individual molecules. The persistent changes occur near sites with a high density of dangling OH groups that facilitate electron solvation. We conclude that energy dissipation during solvation triggers permanent molecular rearrangement via vibrational excitation.