Size-dependent collisional incorporation of D2O into (H2O)− around n = 15: implications on the origin of magic numbers in the hydrated electron cluster distribution

We report a rapid increase in the propensity of D2O molecules to incorporate into (H2O)−n clusters upon collisions between D2O and a distribution of (H2O−n, 6 <n< 25, clusters. We interpret this effect by invoking a size-dependent associative electron detachment cross section which increases rapidly for n < 15. The implications of this detachment process on the “magic numbers” in the (H2O)−n distribution are discussed.