Electron impact ionization of Ar n , (H2O) n , Ar n (H2O) m clusters

Signals from ions forming in a supersonic molecular beam consisting of an argon-water vapor mixture are measured as functions of the exciting electron energy in the range to 120 eV. The thresholds of electron impact excitation of (H₂O) _{n − 1}H⁺ and Ar _n (H₂O _m ⁺ clusters are determined for the first time. It is found that the proton-hydroxyl group binding energy decreases considerably both in the case of water molecule clustering and when mixed Ar _n (H₂O) _m clusters arise.