Core Electron Spectroscopy of Alkali Metal Ions in Solution

Core photoelectron and Auger electron energies of alkali metal ions in solution have been measured and related to the corresponding energies in the gas phase. The magnitude of the electronic polarization contribution to the solvation energies of hard ions is discussed on the basis of measured solvation shifts of photo- and Auger electron lines. Through a combined use of the two types of shift an assessment can be made of the numerical value of the electronic solvation energy with Na + and ions of the same radius as an example. The electronic polarization is found to be of major importance in the solvation of hard ions.