Studies of the solvated electron in viscous dextran solutions

Abstract The hydrated electron yield has been followed as a function of the wt % of dextran added to water to increase the solution viscosity. The yield was found to be constant over a large concentration range but decreased abruptly at a dextran composition of 43.5%. Since the position of the maximum optical absorption of e - aq was unchanged, it is concluded that the electron is only solvated by the free water. The decrease in yield has been correlated to a change of the intermolecular structure of the medium. The influence of this alteration of molecular structure is suggested to have significant effects, especially in the case of biological media, membranes, or micelles.