The mean spherical model for charged hard spheres

Abstract

The reduced mean electrostatic potential v(r) and the radial distribution functions gij(r) for a system of charged hard spheres of equal diameter are calculated from the solution of the mean spherical model equation given by Waisman and Lebowitz. An analytical solution is given for v(r) and the gij(r) are shown to be the sum of the Percus-Yevick uncharged hard-sphere distribution function and an electrostatic term. The correct qualitative behaviour of the mean potential is predicted at high concentrations but the radial distribution functions are only accurate for low valency electrolytes at high concentrations.