Self-consistent integral equations fluid models

Here, we propose to give an overview of the present status of the applications of self-consistent integral equation theories (SCIETs) aimed to predict the properties of simple fluids and of some real systems that require pair and many-body interactions. We will not therefore be concerned with a number of attempts that have been achieved by various authors to extend the IETs approach to fluids with quantum effects, either with several existing studies of specific systems, as, for example, liquid metals, whose treatment yields a modification of the IETs formalism. Our attention will be restricted to simple fluid models, whose description is, however, an essential step to be reached before investigating more complex systems. 

Finally, we mention that very recently three other integral equation approaches to treating polymer systems have been proposed. Chiew [104] has used the particle-particle perspective to develop theories of the intermolecular structure and thermodynamics of short chain fluids and mixtures. Lipson [105] has employed the Born-Green-Yvon (BGY) integral equation approach with the Kirkwood superposition approximation to treat compressible fluids and blends. Initial work with the BGY-based theory has considered lattice models and only thermodynamics, but in principle this approach can be applied to compute structural properties and treat continuum fluid models. Most recently, Gan and Eu employed a Kirkwood hierarchy approximation to construct a self-consistent integral equation theory of intramolecular and intermolecular correlations [106]. There are many differences between these integral equation approaches and PRISM theory which will be discussed in a future review [107]. 

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