In:
Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Vol. 368, No. 6495 ( 2020-06-05), p. 1056-1057
Abstract:
Solutions of alkali metals in liquid ammonia have fascinated scientists for more than 200 years. The “fine blue colour” of a dilute solution indicative of solvated electrons was first noted by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808 [( 1 ), p. 63] and independently published by W. Weyl in 1864 ( 2 ). A bronze sheen as the solution becomes highly concentrated (see the figure) develops as these solvated electrons coalesce into a metallic continuum. Charles Kraus, an early pioneer of the study of these solutions ( 3 ), noted that “these solutions…constitute a link between electrolytes, on the one hand, and metals, on the other” [( 4 ), p. 83]. On page 1086 of this issue, Buttersack et al. ( 5 ) combine low-temperature x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with high-level simulations to reveal the energetics of metal-ammonia solutions across a large concentration range. These studies provide the missing energetic link to characterize the journey of solvated electrons from electrolyte to metal.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0036-8075
,
1095-9203
DOI:
10.1126/science.abb9717
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
128410-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066996-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2060783-0
SSG:
11
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