Yes, the charge on metal ions can strengthen metallic bonding. Metallic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged metal ions and the delocalized electrons. When metal ions have a higher charge, the electrostatic attraction between the ions and the electrons becomes stronger. This results in a more robust metallic bond.
For example, consider a metal ion with a +2 charge compared to one with a +1 charge. The +2 ion will attract the delocalized electrons more strongly than the +1 ion, leading to a stronger bond. This increased attraction also means that more energy is required to break the bond, which is why metals with higher charged ions often have higher melting and boiling points.
In summary, the charge on metal ions plays a crucial role in determining the strength of metallic bonding. Higher charges lead to stronger bonds due to increased electrostatic attraction.