On the mean spherical approximation (MSA) for colloidal systems

Abstract

The Monte Carlo simulation technique has been used to assess the accuracy of two analytical theories, the mean spherical approximation (MSA) and the rescaled MSA (RMSA), used in colloid chemistry. The results seem to indicate that the MSA method is valid for concentrated colloids with low surface charge density. The RMSA extends the validity to dilute systems but still only for weakly charged colloids. The screened coulombic potential, originating from the DLVO-theory, used in these calculations seems to be a reasonable approximation for a monovalent supporting electrolyte but less accurate for multivalent electrolytes.