# Approximate Analytical Solution of Nonlinear Reaction’s Diffusion Equation at Conducting Polymer Ultramicroelectrodes

Authors: Anitha Shanmugarajan; Subbiah Alwarappan; Rajendran Lakshmanan
Journal: ISRN Physical Chemistry
 (2012)

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## Abstract

A theoretical model of reaction/diffusion within conducting polymer microelectrodes is discussed. The model is based on the steady-state diffusion equation containing a nonlinear term related to the Michaelis-Menten kinetic of the enzymatic reaction. An analytical expression pertaining to the concentration of substrate and current is obtained using homotopy perturbation method for all values of diffusion and the saturation parameter. The substrate concentration profile and current response can be used in a large range of concentrations including the non-linear contributions. These approximate analytical results were found to be in good agreement with the previously reported limiting case results.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The advantages of the ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) include steady-state current, rapid response time, minimal iR drop, lower detection limits, and sensitive analysis in a highly resistive medium [1–4]. Furthermore, due to their diminished surface area or radii of the electrodes, they are often employed as probes to monitor various chemical events occurring inside the living cell [5–8]. Ultramicroelectrodes possess many advantages for studying electrochemical kinetics and in electroanalytical applications, imaging, and surface modification [9]. Microelectrodes modified with a polymer film find potential application in various sensing applications [10–12]. The working principle of polymer-modified ultramicroelectrodes occurs in the following manner: initially, the redox analyte interacts with the immobilized active receptor sites present in the polymer matrix, then at the underlying electrode surface. Briefly, we can say that the redox reaction is mediated by the polymeric layer. Further, due to the electroactive property of the polymer, charge can percolate through the polymer chain and thereby reaches the electrode/interface to give rise to a redox current and is directly proportional to the concentration of the analyte. The electron transfer occurs between the substrate and the catalytic receptor site and as a result the kinetics of the substrate/product transformation will be governed by the properties of the mediating electroactive polymer film.Recent advancements in ultramicroelectrodes modified with conducting polymers were reported elsewhere [13–18]. Further, the analytical applications of various polymer-modified sensors and the reaction/diffusion at the conducting polymer electrode (where the chemical reaction term is described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics) were reviewed extensively by various groups [19–23]. Recently, Lyons et al. [24] evaluated the analytical solutions corresponding to the steady-state substrate concentration profile and current observed at a conducting polymer microelectrode when the substrate concentration is low. For higher values of the substrate concentration, a kinetic rate law based on the Michaelis-Menten equation is more appropriate. Recently, Anitha et al. [25] derived the analytical expression for non-steady-state concentrations of substrate and mediator at a polymer modified ultramicroelectrodes using reduction of order method. However, to the best of our knowledge, there were no analytical results available till date that corresponds to the steady-state substrate concentration and current for all possible values of diffusion parameter γ and the saturation parameter α. However, in general, analytical solutions of nonlinear differential equations are more interesting and useful numerical solutions, as they are used in various kinds of data analysis. Therefore, herein, we employ analytical method to evaluate the steady-state substrate concentration and current for all possible values of diffusion and saturation parameter.


## 2. Mathematical Formulation of the Boundary Value Problem and Analysis

### 2.1. Assumptions

The conducting polymer film will adopt a hemispherical geometry upon electrodepositing them on to a microelectrode support (Figure1). If such a geometry is assumed then the substrate will exhibit spherical diffusion both in solution immediately adjacent to the polymer film and within the polymer film itself. We assume that the substrate exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics when it reacts at a site within the polymer film. The substrate exhibits first-order kinetics approximation when the substrate concentration is low. For higher values of the substrate concentration a kinetic rate law based on the Michaelis-Menten equation is more appropriate. We also assume that the partition coefficient for the substrate is unity.Figure 1
Schematic representations of the geometry adopted by the polymer-coated microelectrode and the expected diffusion profile adopted by the analytes.


### 2.2. Neglecting Substrate Concentration Polarization in Solution

Initially, the substrate diffusion in solution, the transport, and kinetic processes within the polymer film were all neglected. On the other hand, the reaction/diffusion equation under steady-state condition corresponding to the normalized substrate concentration within the polymer film can be expressed as [24](1)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γu1+αu=0.
In (1), normalized substrate concentration u=s/s∞, where s denotes the substrate concentration within the polymer film and s∞denotes the bulk concentration of substrate. The saturation parameter α=s∞/KM, where KM denotes the Michaelis constant. The reaction/diffusion parameter γ is given by γ=kccΣa2/KMDS, where kc represents the reaction rate constant, a denotes the radius of the microelectrode. cΣ denotes the total catalyst concentration in the film, and DS is the diffusion coefficient of the substrate within the polymer film. The normalized distance parameter ρ is given by r/a (where r represents the radial variable). The boundary conditions pertaining to the normalized form are(2a)ρ=0,dudρ=0,(2b)ρ=1,u=1.The boundary condition (2a) states that the substrate is electroinactive at the disk. The normalized current density is defined as(3)ψ=ianFADSs∞=(dudρ)ρ=1.


### 2.3. Unsaturated (First-Order) Catalytic Kinetics

We initially consider the situation where the substrate concentration in the film is less than the Michaelis constantKM. This situation will pertain when the product αu≪1. Hence (1) reduces to(4)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γu=0.
By solving (4), we can obtain the expression for the normalized substrate concentration as follows:(5)u(ρ,γ)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρsinh⁡(γ).
Also the expression of the normalized steady-state current density is given below(6)ψ(γ)=γcoth⁡(γ)-1.


### 2.4. For Large Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

We now consider the limiting situation where the substrate concentration in the film is very much greater than the Michaelis constantKM. In this case αu≫1 and (1) reduces to(7)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γα+γα2u=0.
We obtain the approximate expression of normalized concentration of substrate as(8)u(ρ,γ,α)=1+γ(12α2-6α-γ)36α3(ρ2-1)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1).
Using (3), we obtain the expression of the normalized current density as(9)ψ(γ,α)=γ(30α2-15α-γ)45α3.
The above approximation will be valid for all values of diffusion parameter γ and large values of the saturation parameter α.


### 2.5. For Small and Medium Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

In recent days, homotopy perturbation method is often employed to solve several analytical problems. In addition, several groups demonstrated the efficiency and suitability of the HPM for solving nonlinear equations and other electrochemical problems [26–29]. He [30] used HPM to solve the Lighthill equation, the Duffing equation [31], and the Blasius equation [32]. This method has also been used to solve nonlinear boundary value problems [33], integral equation [34–36], Klein-Gordon and Sine-Gordon equations [37], Emden-Flower-type equations [38], and several other problems [39–41]. Using homotopy perturbation method (refer to Appendix A), the approximate solution of (1) is(10)u(ρ,γ,α)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρsinh⁡(γ)-αγsinh⁡(γρ)ρsinh⁡3(γ)+αγsinh⁡2(γ).
The normalized concentration of the substrate satisfies the boundary conditions (2a) and (2b). The expression of the normalized current density becomes              (11)ψ(γ,α)=γcoth⁡(γ)-1+αγcos⁡ech2(γ)⌊γcoth⁡(γ)-1⌋.
Equations (10) and (11) represent approximate expressions of normalized substrate concentration and current density for all small and medium values of the saturation parameter α and all values of the diffusion parameter γ.


### 2.6. Discussion

The kinetic response of a microelectrode depends on the concentration of substrate. The concentration of substrate depends on the following two factorsγandα. The diffusion parameter γ represents the ratio of the characteristic time of the enzymatic reaction to that of substrate diffusion. This parameter can be varied by changing either the radius of the microelectrode or the amount of catalyst in conducting polymer ultramicroelectrodes. This parameter describes the relative importance of diffusion and reaction in conducting polymer ultramicroelectrodes. When γ is small, the kinetics are dominant resistance; the uptake of substrate in the polymer film is kinetically controlled. Under these conditions, the substrate concentration profile across the microelectrode is essentially uniform. The overall kinetics are determined by the total amount of active catalyst cΣ. When the diffusion parameter γ is large, diffusion limitations are the principal determining factor. In both the unsaturated and saturated situations (small and large values of α), the current response increases as γ increases. This is to be expected as the reaction kinetics become more facile.The approximate expressions of concentration of substrate and current density for various values ofα and γ are reported in Table 1. In the case when the substrate diffusion in the adjacent solution is neglected, the expression corresponding to the concentration of substrate  (5) and current  (6) was provided by Lyons et al. [24] (refer to Table 1).Table 1
Approximate expressions of concentration of substrate and current under the boundary conditions (2a) and (2b).
ConditionsConcentrations and currentsFiguresFor very small values ofαu=sinh(γρ)ρsinh(γ)(5)Figures2(a)–2(c)ψ=γcoth(γ)-1(6)Figure4(a)For large values ofα and all value of γu=1+γ(12α2-6α-γ)36α3(ρ2-1)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1)(8)Figure3ψ=γ(30α2-15α-γ)45α3(9)Figures4(b) and 4(c)For small and medium values ofα and all values of γu=sinh(γρ)ρsinh(γ)-αγsinh(γρ)ρsinh3(γ)+αγsinh2(γ)(10)Figure2ψ=γcoth(γ)-1+αγcosech2(γ)(γcoth(γ)-1)(11)Figures4(a) and 4(c)Figure2 represents the substrate concentration u for various values of the reaction diffusion parameter γ and for α≤1. From Figure 2, it is evident that the normalized steady-state substrate concentration u reaches the maximum value 1, when ρ=1. Figure 3 indicates the values of substrate concentrations for large values of α(α≥10) and all values of γ. From Figure 3, the value of concentration u is inversely proportional to the value of the reaction diffusion parameter γ. When γ is small (γ≤1), the substrate concentration profile across the microelectrode is uniform (refer to Figures 2 and 3).Plot of normalized substrate concentration “u”at a microelectrode modified with a polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed for various values of the reaction diffusion parameter “γ” when (a) α=0.001, (b) α=0.01, (c) α=0.1, and (d) α=1. (solid line) (10); (dotted line) (5). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=10, and (iv)γ=100.
(a)(b)(c)(d)Plot of normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed using (8) for various values of the reaction diffusion parameter “γ” when (a) α=10 for (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=10, (iv) γ=20, and (v) γ=30, (b) α=50 for (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=10, (iv) γ=50, and  (v) γ=100, and (c) when α=100 for (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=50, (iv) γ=100, and (v) γ=200.
(a)(b)(c)Figure4 indicates the normalized steady-state current ψ for all values of α. From Figure 4(a), it is noticed that our analytical results (9) and (11) agree with the limiting result of Lyons et al. [24] work. The normalized steady-state current for all large values of α is calculated using (9) in Figure 4(b). A series of normalized current density for all values of α is plotted in Figure 4(c). From Figures 4(b) and 4(c), it is evident that the value of the current decreases when α increases as γ or radius of the electrode increases.Plot of normalized current “ψ” versus the reaction/diffusion parameter “γ” at a microelectrode modified using a conducting polymer film. (a) (i) α=0.1,1, the current was calculated using (6) and (11) for all small and medium values of α. (b) (i) α=5, (ii) α=10, (iii) α=100, the current was calculated using (9) for all large values of “α”. (c) (i) α=0.01,0.1,1 (ii) α=10, (iii) α=50, and, (iv) α=100, the current was calculated using (9) and (11) (solid line) (11); (dotted line) (6). Solid lines are compared with points.
(a)(b)(c)


## 2.1. Assumptions

The conducting polymer film will adopt a hemispherical geometry upon electrodepositing them on to a microelectrode support (Figure1). If such a geometry is assumed then the substrate will exhibit spherical diffusion both in solution immediately adjacent to the polymer film and within the polymer film itself. We assume that the substrate exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics when it reacts at a site within the polymer film. The substrate exhibits first-order kinetics approximation when the substrate concentration is low. For higher values of the substrate concentration a kinetic rate law based on the Michaelis-Menten equation is more appropriate. We also assume that the partition coefficient for the substrate is unity.Figure 1
Schematic representations of the geometry adopted by the polymer-coated microelectrode and the expected diffusion profile adopted by the analytes.


## 2.2. Neglecting Substrate Concentration Polarization in Solution

Initially, the substrate diffusion in solution, the transport, and kinetic processes within the polymer film were all neglected. On the other hand, the reaction/diffusion equation under steady-state condition corresponding to the normalized substrate concentration within the polymer film can be expressed as [24](1)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γu1+αu=0.
In (1), normalized substrate concentration u=s/s∞, where s denotes the substrate concentration within the polymer film and s∞denotes the bulk concentration of substrate. The saturation parameter α=s∞/KM, where KM denotes the Michaelis constant. The reaction/diffusion parameter γ is given by γ=kccΣa2/KMDS, where kc represents the reaction rate constant, a denotes the radius of the microelectrode. cΣ denotes the total catalyst concentration in the film, and DS is the diffusion coefficient of the substrate within the polymer film. The normalized distance parameter ρ is given by r/a (where r represents the radial variable). The boundary conditions pertaining to the normalized form are(2a)ρ=0,dudρ=0,(2b)ρ=1,u=1.The boundary condition (2a) states that the substrate is electroinactive at the disk. The normalized current density is defined as(3)ψ=ianFADSs∞=(dudρ)ρ=1.


## 2.3. Unsaturated (First-Order) Catalytic Kinetics

We initially consider the situation where the substrate concentration in the film is less than the Michaelis constantKM. This situation will pertain when the product αu≪1. Hence (1) reduces to(4)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γu=0.
By solving (4), we can obtain the expression for the normalized substrate concentration as follows:(5)u(ρ,γ)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρsinh⁡(γ).
Also the expression of the normalized steady-state current density is given below(6)ψ(γ)=γcoth⁡(γ)-1.


## 2.4. For Large Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

We now consider the limiting situation where the substrate concentration in the film is very much greater than the Michaelis constantKM. In this case αu≫1 and (1) reduces to(7)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γα+γα2u=0.
We obtain the approximate expression of normalized concentration of substrate as(8)u(ρ,γ,α)=1+γ(12α2-6α-γ)36α3(ρ2-1)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1).
Using (3), we obtain the expression of the normalized current density as(9)ψ(γ,α)=γ(30α2-15α-γ)45α3.
The above approximation will be valid for all values of diffusion parameter γ and large values of the saturation parameter α.


## 2.5. For Small and Medium Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

In recent days, homotopy perturbation method is often employed to solve several analytical problems. In addition, several groups demonstrated the efficiency and suitability of the HPM for solving nonlinear equations and other electrochemical problems [26–29]. He [30] used HPM to solve the Lighthill equation, the Duffing equation [31], and the Blasius equation [32]. This method has also been used to solve nonlinear boundary value problems [33], integral equation [34–36], Klein-Gordon and Sine-Gordon equations [37], Emden-Flower-type equations [38], and several other problems [39–41]. Using homotopy perturbation method (refer to Appendix A), the approximate solution of (1) is(10)u(ρ,γ,α)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρsinh⁡(γ)-αγsinh⁡(γρ)ρsinh⁡3(γ)+αγsinh⁡2(γ).
The normalized concentration of the substrate satisfies the boundary conditions (2a) and (2b). The expression of the normalized current density becomes              (11)ψ(γ,α)=γcoth⁡(γ)-1+αγcos⁡ech2(γ)⌊γcoth⁡(γ)-1⌋.
Equations (10) and (11) represent approximate expressions of normalized substrate concentration and current density for all small and medium values of the saturation parameter α and all values of the diffusion parameter γ.


## 2.6. Discussion

The kinetic response of a microelectrode depends on the concentration of substrate. The concentration of substrate depends on the following two factorsγandα. The diffusion parameter γ represents the ratio of the characteristic time of the enzymatic reaction to that of substrate diffusion. This parameter can be varied by changing either the radius of the microelectrode or the amount of catalyst in conducting polymer ultramicroelectrodes. This parameter describes the relative importance of diffusion and reaction in conducting polymer ultramicroelectrodes. When γ is small, the kinetics are dominant resistance; the uptake of substrate in the polymer film is kinetically controlled. Under these conditions, the substrate concentration profile across the microelectrode is essentially uniform. The overall kinetics are determined by the total amount of active catalyst cΣ. When the diffusion parameter γ is large, diffusion limitations are the principal determining factor. In both the unsaturated and saturated situations (small and large values of α), the current response increases as γ increases. This is to be expected as the reaction kinetics become more facile.The approximate expressions of concentration of substrate and current density for various values ofα and γ are reported in Table 1. In the case when the substrate diffusion in the adjacent solution is neglected, the expression corresponding to the concentration of substrate  (5) and current  (6) was provided by Lyons et al. [24] (refer to Table 1).Table 1
Approximate expressions of concentration of substrate and current under the boundary conditions (2a) and (2b).
ConditionsConcentrations and currentsFiguresFor very small values ofαu=sinh(γρ)ρsinh(γ)(5)Figures2(a)–2(c)ψ=γcoth(γ)-1(6)Figure4(a)For large values ofα and all value of γu=1+γ(12α2-6α-γ)36α3(ρ2-1)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1)(8)Figure3ψ=γ(30α2-15α-γ)45α3(9)Figures4(b) and 4(c)For small and medium values ofα and all values of γu=sinh(γρ)ρsinh(γ)-αγsinh(γρ)ρsinh3(γ)+αγsinh2(γ)(10)Figure2ψ=γcoth(γ)-1+αγcosech2(γ)(γcoth(γ)-1)(11)Figures4(a) and 4(c)Figure2 represents the substrate concentration u for various values of the reaction diffusion parameter γ and for α≤1. From Figure 2, it is evident that the normalized steady-state substrate concentration u reaches the maximum value 1, when ρ=1. Figure 3 indicates the values of substrate concentrations for large values of α(α≥10) and all values of γ. From Figure 3, the value of concentration u is inversely proportional to the value of the reaction diffusion parameter γ. When γ is small (γ≤1), the substrate concentration profile across the microelectrode is uniform (refer to Figures 2 and 3).Plot of normalized substrate concentration “u”at a microelectrode modified with a polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed for various values of the reaction diffusion parameter “γ” when (a) α=0.001, (b) α=0.01, (c) α=0.1, and (d) α=1. (solid line) (10); (dotted line) (5). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=10, and (iv)γ=100.
(a)(b)(c)(d)Plot of normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed using (8) for various values of the reaction diffusion parameter “γ” when (a) α=10 for (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=10, (iv) γ=20, and (v) γ=30, (b) α=50 for (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=10, (iv) γ=50, and  (v) γ=100, and (c) when α=100 for (i) γ=0.1, (ii) γ=1, (iii) γ=50, (iv) γ=100, and (v) γ=200.
(a)(b)(c)Figure4 indicates the normalized steady-state current ψ for all values of α. From Figure 4(a), it is noticed that our analytical results (9) and (11) agree with the limiting result of Lyons et al. [24] work. The normalized steady-state current for all large values of α is calculated using (9) in Figure 4(b). A series of normalized current density for all values of α is plotted in Figure 4(c). From Figures 4(b) and 4(c), it is evident that the value of the current decreases when α increases as γ or radius of the electrode increases.Plot of normalized current “ψ” versus the reaction/diffusion parameter “γ” at a microelectrode modified using a conducting polymer film. (a) (i) α=0.1,1, the current was calculated using (6) and (11) for all small and medium values of α. (b) (i) α=5, (ii) α=10, (iii) α=100, the current was calculated using (9) for all large values of “α”. (c) (i) α=0.01,0.1,1 (ii) α=10, (iii) α=50, and, (iv) α=100, the current was calculated using (9) and (11) (solid line) (11); (dotted line) (6). Solid lines are compared with points.
(a)(b)(c)


## 3. Problem Resolution including Substrate Concentration Polarization in Solution

Here, we include the substrate diffusion in the solution adjacent to the polymer film. In this case transport and kinetics are described by (1), but the boundary conditions are given by [24](12a)dudρ=0atρ=0,(12b)u=u1atρ=1,(12c)dudρ=v(1-u1)atρ=1,where the Biot number v has been introduced(13)v=kD′kD,
where kD′ represents the diffusional rate constant of the substrate in solution and kD is the value that represents the transport of substrate within polymer film. The diffusional rate constant kD to a microelectrode is given by(14)kD=4DSπa.
Using (13), we obtain(15)v=4π(DS′DS).


### 3.1. Unsaturated (First-Order) Catalytic Kinetics

Initially, we considered a situation where the substrate concentration in the film is less than the Michaelis constantKM. This situation will pertain when the product αu≪1. Hence (1) reduces to(16)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γu=0.By solving (16) using the boundary condition (12a)–(12c), we can obtain the analytical expression of normalized concentration of substrate as follows:(17)u(ρ,γ,v)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}.
Also the expression of the normalized current density is shown below(18)ψ(γ,v)=γcosh⁡⌊γ⌋-sinh⁡⌊γ⌋sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)].
The above analytical expression of substrate concentration and current is identical to Lyons et al. [24] work.


### 3.2. For Large Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

We now consider the limiting situation where the substrate concentration in the film is very much greater than the Michaelis constantKM. In this case αu≫1 and (1) reduces to(19)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γα+γα2u=0.
By solving (19), we obtain the approximate expression of the normalized concentration of substrate as(20)u(ρ,γ,α,v)=1+γ(12α2v-6αv-γv-2γ)36α3v(ρ2-1-2v)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1-4v).
Also we can obtain the expression of the normalized current density as(21)ψ(γ,α,v)=γ(30α2v-15αv-γv-5γ)45α3v.
The above approximation will be valid for all values of diffusion parameter γ and large values of saturation parameter α.


### 3.3. For Small and Medium Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

Using this homotopy perturbation method, we can obtain the solution of (1)
(22)u(ρ,γ,α,v)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}-αγsinh⁡(γρ)ρ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}3+αγ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}2.
The above equation satisfies the boundary conditions (12a)–(12c). The expression of the normalized current density becomes              (23)ψ(γ,α,v)=γcosh⁡⌊γ⌋-sinh⁡⌊γ⌋sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]-αγ(γcosh⁡⌊γ⌋-sinh⁡⌊γ⌋){sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}3.
Equations (22) and (23) represent a new closed form of approximate expressions of normalized substrate concentration and current density for small and medium of parameters α and all values of γ.


### 3.4. Discussion

In the case when the substrate concentration is very low, the expression corresponding to the concentration of substrate (17) and current (18) was provided by Lyons et al. [24] (refer to Table 2). Figure 5 represents the normalized steady-state substrate concentration u at a polymer-coated microelectrode. The concentration of substrate was calculated for all small values of the saturation parameter α. From Figure 5, it is inferred that the concentration increases when v increases. Also for any fixed values of v and small values of α and γ, the concentration is uniform throughout the film.Table 2
Approximate expressions of concentration of substrate, and current under the boundary conditions (12a)–(12c).
ConditionsConcentrations and currentsFiguresFor very small values ofαu=sinh(γρ)ρ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}(17)Figures5 and 6ψ=γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ]sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])(18)Figure8For large values ofα(α≥1) and all values of γu=1+γ(12α2v-6αv-γv-2γ)36α3v(ρ2-1-2v)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1-4v)(20)Figure7ψ=γ(30α2v-15αv-γv-5γ)45α3v(21)Figure9For small and medium values ofα and all values of γu=sinh(γρ)ρ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}-αγsinh(γρ)ρ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}3+αγ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}2(22)Figures5 and 6ψ=γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ]sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])-αγ(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])(sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ]))3(23)Figure8Plot of normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a conducting polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed for various values of Biot number “v” when (a) α=0.001, γ=0.1, (b) α=0.01, γ=0.1, and (c) α=0.1, γ=0.1. (solid line) (22); (dotted line) (17). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50.
(a)(b)(c)The normalized steady-state substrate concentrationu is plotted for all small values of the saturation parameter α in Figure 6. From Figure 6, it is evident that when the values of the Biot number v increase, the values corresponding to the substrate concentration u also increase when γ≥50. Our analytical results agree with the limiting result of Lyons et al. [24] work. Figure 7 indicates the values of substrate concentrations for large values of α(α≥5) and all values of the Biot number v. From Figure 7, it is inferred that u≈1 when v≥50 and γ≤0.1.Normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a conducting polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed for various values of the Biot number “v” when (a) α=0.001,γ=50, (b) α=0.01,γ=50, and (c) α=0.1,γ=50. (solid line) (22); (dotted line) (17). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50.
(a)(b)(c)Plot of Normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed using (20) for various values of the Biot number “v” when γ=0.1 and for (a) α=5, (b) α=10 and (c) α=50. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50.
(a)(b)(c)Figure8 represents the normalized current density ψ for all values of the Biot number v. In addition, from Figure 8, we noticed that the normalized current density increases as the Biot number v increases. Normalized current density ψ versus γ for various values of the Biot number v and for large values of α is plotted using (21) in Figure 9. From Figure 9, it is evident that the value of the current increases when the Biot number v increases.Normalized current “ψ” versus the reaction/diffusion parameter “γ” at a microelectrode modified using a conducting polymer film. The current was calculated for various values of the Biot number “v” when (a) α=0.001, (b) α=0.01, and (c) α=0.1. (solid line) (23); (dotted line) (18). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50, and (vii) v=100.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 9
Normalized current “ψ” versus the reaction/diffusion parameter “γ” at a microelectrode modified using a conducting polymer film. The current was calculated using (21) for various values of the Biot number “v” when α=10. In this figure (i) v=0.5, (ii) v=1, (iii) v=5, (iv) v=10, and  (v) v=100.


## 3.1. Unsaturated (First-Order) Catalytic Kinetics

Initially, we considered a situation where the substrate concentration in the film is less than the Michaelis constantKM. This situation will pertain when the product αu≪1. Hence (1) reduces to(16)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γu=0.By solving (16) using the boundary condition (12a)–(12c), we can obtain the analytical expression of normalized concentration of substrate as follows:(17)u(ρ,γ,v)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}.
Also the expression of the normalized current density is shown below(18)ψ(γ,v)=γcosh⁡⌊γ⌋-sinh⁡⌊γ⌋sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)].
The above analytical expression of substrate concentration and current is identical to Lyons et al. [24] work.


## 3.2. For Large Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

We now consider the limiting situation where the substrate concentration in the film is very much greater than the Michaelis constantKM. In this case αu≫1 and (1) reduces to(19)d2udρ2+2ρdudρ-γα+γα2u=0.
By solving (19), we obtain the approximate expression of the normalized concentration of substrate as(20)u(ρ,γ,α,v)=1+γ(12α2v-6αv-γv-2γ)36α3v(ρ2-1-2v)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1-4v).
Also we can obtain the expression of the normalized current density as(21)ψ(γ,α,v)=γ(30α2v-15αv-γv-5γ)45α3v.
The above approximation will be valid for all values of diffusion parameter γ and large values of saturation parameter α.


## 3.3. For Small and Medium Values of the Saturation Parameterα and All Values of the Reaction/Diffusion Parameter γ

Using this homotopy perturbation method, we can obtain the solution of (1)
(22)u(ρ,γ,α,v)=sinh⁡(γρ)ρ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}-αγsinh⁡(γρ)ρ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}3+αγ{sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}2.
The above equation satisfies the boundary conditions (12a)–(12c). The expression of the normalized current density becomes              (23)ψ(γ,α,v)=γcosh⁡⌊γ⌋-sinh⁡⌊γ⌋sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]-αγ(γcosh⁡⌊γ⌋-sinh⁡⌊γ⌋){sinh⁡(γ)+1v[γcosh⁡(γ)-sinh⁡(γ)]}3.
Equations (22) and (23) represent a new closed form of approximate expressions of normalized substrate concentration and current density for small and medium of parameters α and all values of γ.


## 3.4. Discussion

In the case when the substrate concentration is very low, the expression corresponding to the concentration of substrate (17) and current (18) was provided by Lyons et al. [24] (refer to Table 2). Figure 5 represents the normalized steady-state substrate concentration u at a polymer-coated microelectrode. The concentration of substrate was calculated for all small values of the saturation parameter α. From Figure 5, it is inferred that the concentration increases when v increases. Also for any fixed values of v and small values of α and γ, the concentration is uniform throughout the film.Table 2
Approximate expressions of concentration of substrate, and current under the boundary conditions (12a)–(12c).
ConditionsConcentrations and currentsFiguresFor very small values ofαu=sinh(γρ)ρ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}(17)Figures5 and 6ψ=γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ]sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])(18)Figure8For large values ofα(α≥1) and all values of γu=1+γ(12α2v-6αv-γv-2γ)36α3v(ρ2-1-2v)+γ2120α3(ρ4-1-4v)(20)Figure7ψ=γ(30α2v-15αv-γv-5γ)45α3v(21)Figure9For small and medium values ofα and all values of γu=sinh(γρ)ρ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}-αγsinh(γρ)ρ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}3+αγ{sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])}2(22)Figures5 and 6ψ=γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ]sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])-αγ(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ])(sinh[γ]+1v(γcosh[γ]-sinh[γ]))3(23)Figure8Plot of normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a conducting polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed for various values of Biot number “v” when (a) α=0.001, γ=0.1, (b) α=0.01, γ=0.1, and (c) α=0.1, γ=0.1. (solid line) (22); (dotted line) (17). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50.
(a)(b)(c)The normalized steady-state substrate concentrationu is plotted for all small values of the saturation parameter α in Figure 6. From Figure 6, it is evident that when the values of the Biot number v increase, the values corresponding to the substrate concentration u also increase when γ≥50. Our analytical results agree with the limiting result of Lyons et al. [24] work. Figure 7 indicates the values of substrate concentrations for large values of α(α≥5) and all values of the Biot number v. From Figure 7, it is inferred that u≈1 when v≥50 and γ≤0.1.Normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a conducting polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed for various values of the Biot number “v” when (a) α=0.001,γ=50, (b) α=0.01,γ=50, and (c) α=0.1,γ=50. (solid line) (22); (dotted line) (17). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50.
(a)(b)(c)Plot of Normalized substrate concentration “u” at a microelectrode modified with a polymer film as a function of “ρ”. The concentrations were computed using (20) for various values of the Biot number “v” when γ=0.1 and for (a) α=5, (b) α=10 and (c) α=50. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50.
(a)(b)(c)Figure8 represents the normalized current density ψ for all values of the Biot number v. In addition, from Figure 8, we noticed that the normalized current density increases as the Biot number v increases. Normalized current density ψ versus γ for various values of the Biot number v and for large values of α is plotted using (21) in Figure 9. From Figure 9, it is evident that the value of the current increases when the Biot number v increases.Normalized current “ψ” versus the reaction/diffusion parameter “γ” at a microelectrode modified using a conducting polymer film. The current was calculated for various values of the Biot number “v” when (a) α=0.001, (b) α=0.01, and (c) α=0.1. (solid line) (23); (dotted line) (18). Solid lines are compared with points. In this figure (i) v=0.1, (ii) v=0.5, (iii) v=1, (iv) v=5, (v) v=10, (vi) v=50, and (vii) v=100.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 9
Normalized current “ψ” versus the reaction/diffusion parameter “γ” at a microelectrode modified using a conducting polymer film. The current was calculated using (21) for various values of the Biot number “v” when α=10. In this figure (i) v=0.5, (ii) v=1, (iii) v=5, (iv) v=10, and  (v) v=100.


## 4. Conclusions

The steady-state amperometric response for a conducting polymer microelectrode system which exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics has been discussed. We have presented a mathematical model of reaction and diffusion within a conducting polymer film which is deposited on a support surface of micrometer dimensions. Approximate analytical solutions of the nonlinear reaction diffusion equation have been derived. Analytical expressions of substrate concentration within the polymer film are derived for all values of the diffusion parameter and the saturation parameter using homotopy perturbation method. The analytical results derived therein may be used to predict the steady-state sensor response on experimental values, and the theoretical value of surface concentration for which the amperometric response is nonlinear.



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