A generating equation for mixing rules and two new mixing rules for interatomic potential energy parameters.

A generating equation for the mixing rules of interatomic potential energy parameters is proposed. It is demonstrated that this equation can, indeed, reproduce many popular mixing rules. A weighting matrix is used with the generating equation. This weighting matrix approach is superior to the present status of mixing rule development. A systematic framework is given for devising new mixing rules and/or comparing them. Two new mixing rules, which are more accurate than the available rules in the literature, are proposed. These rules are capable of reproducing the collision diameter and well-depth parameters for the binary values of noble gases to within their experimental uncertainties. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 660-668, 2004