A three-component model on the structure of colloidal solution with size-asymmetric electrolytes

• Published in: Molecular physics Vol. 114; no. 16-17; pp. 2341 - 2350
• Main Author: Patra, Chandra N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01-09-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Colloids; complex fluids; Computer simulation; density functional theory; electric double layers; Electrolytes; Mathematical models; Molecular physics; Molecular structure; Monte Carlo methods; Monte Carlo simulation; Monte Carlo simulations; Solvents; Theory of electrolyte solution
• ISSN: 0026-8976; 1362-3028
• DOI: 10.1080/00268976.2016.1143126

A three-component model on the structure of colloidal solution with size asymmetric electrolytes is attempted here using density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulation. The solvent is represented as an individual component along with that as a dielectric continuum. The theory uses a weighted density approximation for the hard-sphere contribution to the free energy, whereas the ionic contribution is evaluated through a perturbation expansion around the bulk density. The theory is found to reproduce the simulation data quite well for a wide range of parametric conditions. The present study reflects the importance of the presence of the solvent in determining the structural behaviour of spherical double layers.