solvation

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)An association, or a reaction, of a solute with a solvent.

   “It is found that the clouding process is closely related to the conformational equilibrium of the ethyleneoxide chains, and that this equilibrium depends on the properties of the free ethyleneoxide chain, the solvation of the chain, but also to a large extent on the effect that the ethyleneoxide chain has on the effective water-water interaction.”