Ornstein–Zernike equations for highly asymmetric mixtures: confronting the no-solution challenge

Abstract

The question of the absence of a solution to the Ornstein–Zernike integral equations for the pair structure of asymmetric binary mixtures is discussed. The behaviour of a recently proposed closure with a reduced no-solution domain in the case of highly asymmetric hard sphere mixtures is considered. The modifications that are required to treat non-hard-sphere interactions are examined. A possible implementation of the same strategy is illustrated for the potential of the mean force for solvophilic macroparticles in a Lennard–Jones fluid.

Keywords:

• Ornstein–Zernike equations
• Highly asymmetric mixtures