Density Fluctuations in an Electrolyte from Generalized Debye-Hückel Theory

Benjamin P. Lee and Michael E. Fisher
Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 2906 – Published 15 April 1996
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Abstract

Near-critical thermodynamics in the hard-sphere (1, 1) electrolyte is well described, at a classical level, by Debye-Hückel (DH) theory with (+,) ion pairing and dipolar-pair-ionic-fluid coupling. But DH-based theories do not address density fluctuations. Here density correlations are obtained by functional differentiation of DH theory generalized to nonuniform densities of various species. The correlation length ξ diverges universally at low density ρ as (Tρ)1/4 (correcting the generalized mean-spherical approximation). When ρ=ρc one has ξξ0+/t1/2 as t(TTc)/Tc0+, where the amplitudes ξ0+ compare informatively with experimental data.

  • Received 20 December 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.2906

©1996 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Benjamin P. Lee and Michael E. Fisher

  • Institute for Physical Science and Technology, The University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

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Vol. 76, Iss. 16 — 15 April 1996

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