Osmotic coefficients and surface tensions of aqueous electrolyte solutions: Role of dispersion forces

Abstract

Osmotic coeffs. of a series of 16 aq. electrolyte solns. are described at concns. ≤1 M with the help of HNC calcns. and solvent-averaged potentials of charged hard spheres with an addnl. necessary dispersion potential, omitted from all earlier treatments. The adjusted ionic radii and excess polarizabilities have values of the expected order of magnitude. Whereas the description of the bulk properties is satisfactory, the theory is not so successful in predicting the surface tensions of the corresponding solns. (Hofmeister series). The reasons for this are quite subtle and explored in the text. It is clear now how to make further progress and tackle hydration in a consistent way.