Microdipole model for trapped electrons in nonpolar liquids and glassy solids

A model is developed to treat the binding energy of excess electrons in nonpolar liquids and solids such as alkanes. Interaction of the excess electron with C–H bond dipoles is considered for several geometrical arrangements. On this basis it is found that a binding energy of about 0.5 eV can be explained for trapped electrons in condensed alkanes. Although long range polarization interactions are unimportant, the electron interaction with the bond microdipoles of a net nonpolar molecule appears to be the key to understanding electron binding in alkane matrices.