Probing RbBr solvation in freestanding sub-2 nm water clusters

Concentration dependent solvation of RbBr in freestanding sub-2 nm water clusters was studied using core level photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation. Spectral features recorded from dilute to saturated clusters indicate that either solvent shared or contact ion pairs are present in increasing amount when the concentration exceeds 2 mol kg−1. For comparison, spectra from anhydrous RbBr clusters are also presented.