DIELECTRIC-RELAXATION OF ELECTROLYTE-SOLUTIONS - IS THERE REALLY A KINETIC DIELECTRIC DECREMENT

The dielectric behavior of model electrolyte solutions is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. For the systems considered, it is found that the zero-frequency dielectric constant depends only on equilibrium properties and that there is no measurable ''kinetic dielectric decrement.'' A theoretical explanation of the simulation results is presented. It is argued that no kinetic dielectric decrement exists for spherical ions in solvents of arbitrary molecular symmetry.