Chemical potential of an ion in an asymmetric electrolyte within the mean spherical approximation (MSA)

We study the known solution of the mean spherical approximation (MSA) for the primitive model of an electrolyte consisting of charged hard spheres with unequal diameters. Especially, details of the non-trivial evaluation of chemical potentials are given. They can be obtained in various independent ways from the known MSA solution. The different ways of evaluation are utilised to show that consistent results are obtained. Details for other thermodynamic quantities are also presented. An additional purpose of this rederivation of results is to give a firmer basis and insight to obtain the correct and consistent thermodynamics for the more demanding and realistic situation with polar particles present in the MSA electrolyte.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the known solution of the mean spherical approximation (MSA) for the primitive model of an electrolyte with charged hard spheres of unequal diameters. It gives details of the non-trivial evaluation of chemical potentials and shows that consistent results can be obtained through different independent ways. The rederivation of results aims to provide a firmer basis and insight for obtaining correct and consistent thermodynamics in the presence of polar particles in the MSA electrolyte.