title: On the dielectric decrement of electrolyte solutions: a dressed-ion theory analysis.
abstract: Based on the dressed-ion theory and a simple physical argument regarding the conductivity of the solution, we derive a relation between the ionic strength and dielectric constant of an electrolyte solution. At its simplest, this model gives the dielectric constant at low ionic strength I as εr(I) = εr(0)(1 + αI)-1, where α (the excess polarization) is directly related to the dressed-ion charge. One contribution to the origin of the dielectric decrement is thus seen to stem from the electrostatic screening of the ions in solution, with no solvent contributions necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. rasmusp@chem.gu.se.
authors.forename: Rasmus A X
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6587-5287
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Persson