Trapped electrons produced in ethanol glass at 40K

Optical absorption and ESR measurements were carried out on et− produced in ethanol at 4°K. The same et− yield for γ radiolysis at 4 and 77°K indicates that electrons are stabilized in pre-existing traps at 4°K where molecular dipoles remain unrelaxed. et− prior to solvation can be classified into two groups. One with λmax = 1500 nm, W1/2= 4 × 103 cm−1 and Δ Hpp = 5.5 ± 0.5 G is easily photobleached by the infrared light. The other with broad absorption band in the visible and Δ Hpp = 13.5 ± 1.5 G is not photobleached by the infrared light. The successive shift of the absorption spectrum to the higher energy side on warming is interpreted by the molecular reorientation mechanism. et− decay is observed during the solvation process, depending on time required for the solvation. The blue shift of the absorption spectrum on reducing the temperature is attributed to contraction of electron traps.