Dynamics of ionic solvation

Abstract

Dynamics of solvation in simple polar liquids is studied within the framework of the mean spherical approximation. Exact results are derived for the Born solvation energy and for the correlation function for the solvation time of an instantaneously formed ion (or dipole) in a polar solvent. The results are in qualitative agreement with the recent approximate treatment by P. Wolynes [J. Chem. Phys. 86, 5133 (1987)]. Implications of the results for the solvation dynamics of dipoles and of excess electrons in polar solvents are considered.