Solvation of a solvophobic sphere

Abstract

I consider the solvation of a hard sphere, or cavity, when the solute is bigger than the solvent molecules. I point out that scaled particle theory (SPT) is not obviously suited to this regime and thus consider the consequences of re-optimizing SPT to be accurate in the large length scale regime. The significance to hard-sphere colloidal systems is found to be minor but, in contrast, is of qualitative importance to understanding the solvation of large solvophobic solutes by Argon-like liquids at low pressure, where drying phenomena occur. The relevance to hydrophobicity in water is also discussed.