electrochem

Article
Modelling of Irreversible Homogeneous Reaction on Finite
Diffusion Layers
Singaravel Anandhar Salai Sivasundari 1 , Rathinam Senthamarai 2 , Mohan Chitra Devi 3 ,
Lakshmanan Rajendran 1, * and Michael E. G. Lyons 4, *

1 Department of Mathematics, AMET University, Chennai 603112, Tamilnadu, India

2 Department of Mathematics, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and
Technology, Chennai 603203, Tamilnadu, India
3 Department of Mathematics, University College of Enginnering, Anna University,
Dindigul 624622, Tamilnadu, India
4 School of Chemistry & AMBER National Centre, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin,
D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
* Correspondence: [email protected] (L.R.); [email protected] (M.E.G.L.)

Abstract: The mathematical model proposed by Chapman and Antano (Electrochimica Acta, 56
(2010), 128–132) for the catalytic electrochemical–chemical (EC’) processes in an irreversible second-
order homogeneous reaction in a microelectrode is discussed. The mass-transfer boundary layer
neighbouring an electrode can contribute to the electrode’s measured AC impedance. This model can
be used to analyse membrane-transport studies and other instances of ionic transport in semiconduc-
tors and other materials. Two efficient and easily accessible analytical techniques, AGM and DTM,
were used to solve the steady-state non-linear diffusion equation’s infinite layers. Herein, we present
the generalized approximate analytical solution for the solute, product, and reactant concentrations
and current for the small experimental values of kinetic and diffusion parameters. Using the Mat-
Citation: Sivasundari, S.A.S.; lab/Scilab program, we also derive the numerical solution to this problem. The comparison of the
Senthamarai, R.; Devi, M.C.; analytical and numerical/computational results reveals a satisfactory level of agreement.
Rajendran, L.; Lyons, M.E.G.
Modelling of Irreversible Keywords: mathematical modeling; irreversible homogeneous reaction; Akbari-Ganji method; differ-
Homogeneous Reaction on Finite ential transform method; reaction-diffusion equations
Diffusion Layers. Electrochem 2022, 3,
479–491. https://doi.org/10.3390/
electrochem3030033

Academic Editor: Masato Sone

1. Introduction
The role of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in electrode processes is crucial.
Received: 15 July 2022
It is a useful experimental technique employed in an electrode procedure to categorise
Accepted: 22 August 2022
different mechanisms [1]. In the semi-infinite system, the diffusion-controlled resistance
Published: 26 August 2022
also contributes to the measured impedance. The phase at the electrode surface can have its
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral diffusion impedance determined using the transport model [2–6]. Several authors [7–11]
with regard to jurisdictional claims in studied reactant diffusion through a stagnant diffusion layer of thickness. Juan Bisquert [12]
published maps and institutional affil- discussed the theory of electron diffusion and recombination impedance in a thin layer. Ten
iations. years ago, Chapman and Antano [1] used a computational approach to find the approximate
concentration profiles and impedance behaviour. Uma et al. [13] derived the approximate
analytical expressions for the concentration of the system.
To the best of our knowledge, there is no concise and closed-form analytical equation
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
provided for species concentrations in irreversible homogeneous reactions in finite-layer
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
diffusion. This study intends to obtain new analytical expressions, in closed form, for the
distributed under the terms and
concentration of the reactant S, product P, and solute R for low values of the rate constant.
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).

Electrochem 2022, 3, 479–491. https://doi.org/10.3390/electrochem3030033 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/electrochem

Electrochem 2022, 3, FOR PEER REVIEW 2
Electrochem 2022, 3 480

2. Mathematical Formulation
2. Mathematical
The followingFormulation
describes the reaction mechanism for a catalytic electrochemical sys-
tem with diffusion and an irreversible
The following describes second-order
the reaction reaction
mechanism for in a stagnant
a catalytic diffusion
electrochemical layer
system
[1]:
with diffusion and an irreversible second-order reaction in a stagnant diffusion layer [1]:
𝑅+
R± e−𝑒 ↔↔P 𝑃 (1)
(1)

k (2)
P+ S2 ⎯Y +
𝑃 S+ → 𝑌+R𝑅 (2)
The
The soluble substance PP is
soluble substance is produced
produced at at the
the electrode
electrode by by the
the oxidation
oxidation oror reduction
reduction of of
the solute R.
the solute R. With
With the
the reaction
reaction rate constant, PP reacts
rate constant, reacts irreversibly
irreversibly in in the
the solution
solution toto create
create
the productYYand
the product andregenerate
regenerate R from
R from thethe
electrochemically
electrochemically inactive reactant
inactive S that
reactant S is already
that is al-
present in the bulk solution. Figure 1 depicts the overview of a second-order
ready present in the bulk solution. Figure 1 depicts the overview of a second-order irre- irreversible
homogeneous reaction. reaction.
versible homogeneous The overall Theprocess
overallinvolves
processthe electrochemical
involves of S to
conversionconver-
the electrochemical
Y, which is accelerated by R, with some accumulation of P, if the homogeneous
sion of S to Y, which is accelerated by R, with some accumulation of P, if the homogeneous reaction
cannot
reactioncompletely utilise theutilise
cannot completely material
theproduced
material at the electrode.
produced at theOne particular
electrode. Oneexample
particularis
the oxidation
example is theofoxidation
sulfite (S)oftosulfite
sulphate
(S) (Y), which is(Y),
to sulphate accelerated
which is by the ferrous
accelerated byion
the(R) and
ferrous
results
ion (R)in theresults
and formation
in theofformation
a reactive offerric ion (P)ferric
a reactive at an ion
anode.
(P) at an anode.

Figure 1. General
Figure 1. General scheme
scheme of
of aa second-order
second-order irreversible
irreversiblehomogeneous
homogeneousreaction.
reaction.

Consider
Consider the
the non-linear
non-linear differential
differential equations
equations [1]
[1] at
at steady-state
steady-state conditions in aa di-
conditions in di-
mensionless form, as follows:
mensionless form, as follows:
d2 R( x() ) + 𝑘 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑆(𝑥) = 0 (3)
+ k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (3)
dx2

d2 P( x() ) − 𝑘 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑆(𝑥) = 0 (4)

− k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (4)
dx2
d2𝑑S(𝑆(𝑥)
x) (5)
−− k𝑘P(𝑃(𝑥)
x ) S(𝑆(𝑥)
x ) ==0 0 (5)
dx𝑑𝑥
2

where
where the
thedimensionless
dimensionlessvariables
variablesare
are
⁄𝐶Sb ], ,P𝑃== [C𝐶P /C
R 𝑅==[CR𝐶/C ⁄𝐶Sb ],, 𝑆S =
= [𝐶CS⁄/C
𝐶 Sb, ]𝑥, x==𝑧⁄z/δ
𝛿
(6)
(6)
𝑘= 𝑘 𝐶 2⁄𝛿 𝐷 , 𝛼 = 𝐶 ⁄𝐶 and 𝛾 = 𝐶 , ⁄𝐶
k = k2 CSb /δ D , α = [CRb /CSb ] and γ = [CR0,SS /CSb ]
where R, P, and S are the dimensionless concentrations solute, product, and the reactant,
where R, P, and
respectively; 𝑥 isS are
the the dimensionless
dimensionless concentrations
distance. solute, we
For simplicity, product, and the reactant,
have assumed that all
respectively; x is the dimensionless distance. For simplicity, we have assumed
three diffusion coefficients are equal to the value 𝐷; k is dimensionless rate constant. that all three
Two
diffusion coefficients are equal to the value D; k is dimensionless rate constant. Two other
Electrochem 2022, 3 481

parameters, α and γ, are the concentration ratios. The corresponding boundary conditions
are as follows:
dS
R = γ; P = α − γ; = 0 when x = 0 (7)
dx
R = α; P = 0; S = 1 when x = 1 (8)
where α > γ. The non-dimensional current is given as
 
iδ  dR( x ) 
ψ= =   (9)
nFDCSb A dx  x=0

3. Analytical Expression of Concentrations

Equations (3)–(5) represent the nonlinear differential equations. Finding the precise
solution to these nonlinear differential equations is difficult. One of the toughest chal-
lenges, especially across a wide range of science and engineering applications, is solving
nonlinear differential equations. Recently, the construction of an analytical solution has
been the focus of numerous analytical techniques, such as the homotopy perturbation
method (HPM) [14–26], the variational iteration method [27–32], the homotopy analysis
method [33–37], the Akbari-Ganji method [38–43], the Taylor series method [44–47], and
the differential transform method. Jalili et al. [48–50] discussed the heat exchange in nano-
particles and solved the momentum and energy equation numerically. In this paper, AGM
and DTM are developed (Appendices A and B) for solving the ill-posted boundary value
problem, which has the fewest number of unknowns, and its associated boundary condi-
tions are represented by the Equations (3)–(8). For the nonlinear steady-state second-order
equations, these are effective techniques.

3.1. Analytical Expression of Concentrations Using the Akbari-Ganji Method (AGM)

The Akbari-Ganji approach, created by the mathematicians Akbari and Ganji [38–43],
is used in this study to solve the nonlinear differential equations governing this system.
Moreover, with this method, we can quickly solve the nonlinear equations without any
complex mathematical operations. The relation between the concentrations is given in
Appendix A. Using this relationship and the proposed approach, the general analytical
expression for normalized concentrations of the species are as follows (Appendix B):

cosh(mx )
R( x ) = − + (α + 1) x − (γ + l )( x − 1) (10)
cosh(m)

cosh(mx )
P( x ) = − (α + 1) x + (γ + l )( x − 1) + α (11)
cosh(m)
cosh mx
S( x ) = (12)
cosh m
where the constant q
m= k(α − γ) (13)

Using Equation (7), the non-dimensional current is

 
iδ  dR( x ) 
= =  = 1 + α − γ − sech(m) (14)
nFDCSb A dx  x=0

3.2. Analytical Expression of Concentrations Using the Differential Transform Method (DTM)
A semi-analytical technique for resolving differential equations is the differential
transform method (DTM). Zhou [35] was the first to put forth the differential transform
idea, which is used to address both linear and nonlinear boundary value issues in electric
circuit analysis. The nth derivative of an analytical function at a particular point can be
precisely calculated using DTM, regardless of whether the boundary conditions are known
 circuit analysis. The nth derivative of an analytical function at a particular point can be
precisely calculated using DTM, regardless of whether the boundary conditions are
Electrochem 2022, 3 known or unknown. With this method, differential equations produce an empirical 482 poly-
nomial solution. This approach differs from the typical high-order Taylor series process,
which requires the symbolic computation of the data functions. The Taylor series proce-
dure takes some
or unknown. time
With thistomethod,
compute. The DTMequations
differential is an alternative
produce iterative procedure
an empirical for ob-
polynomial
taining analytical
solution. solutions
This approach of differential
differs equations
from the typical [36–39].
high-order The series
Taylor approximate
process,analytical
which
requires theof
expressions symbolic computation
concentrations using of the
the DTM
data functions.
method areTheobtained
Taylor series procedure
as follows takes
(Appendix
some
C): time to compute. The DTM is an alternative iterative procedure for obtaining analyti-
cal solutions of differential equations [36–39]. The approximate analytical expressions of
concentrations𝑅(𝑥)
using 2 2 + 𝑘 (𝛼 − 𝛾)𝑥
= the
(𝛼 +DTM
1) 𝑥method
− 𝛾 + are obtained as(𝑥follows
− 1) −(Appendix C): (15)
2 + 𝑘(𝛼 − 𝛾) 2 + 𝑘(𝛼 − 𝛾)
2 + k (α − γ) x2
 
2
R ( x ) = ( α + 1) x − γ + ( x − 1) − (15)
+ k(𝛾α+− γ)
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝛼 − (𝛼 + 1) 𝑥2 + (𝑥 − 1)2++ k(α(− γ)) (16)
( ) ( )
2 + k (α − γ) x2
 
2
P ( x ) = α − ( α + 1) x + γ + 2 + 𝑘 (𝛼 − 𝛾)𝑥
( x − 1 ) + (16)
𝑆(𝑥)2=+ k(α − γ) 2 + k(α − γ) (17)
2 + 𝑘(𝛼 − 𝛾)
2 + k (α − γ) x2
S( x ) = (17)
2 + k(α − γ)
4. Validation of Analytical Results with Numerical Simulation
4. Validation of Analytical
The validation methodResults with Numerical
has received significantSimulation
attention in the literature. Using the
functionThepdex4
validation
in themethod has received
Scilab software, the significant attention in Equations
nonlinear differential the literature. Using
(3)–(5), thethe
with
function pdex4
boundary in the(7)
conditions Scilab
and software, the nonlinear
(8), are numerically differential
solved. Equations
The Scilab code is(3)–(5), with in
also given
the boundary conditions (7) and (8), are numerically solved. The Scilab
Appendix D. Figures 2 and 3 compare the species concentrations obtained using the AGM code is also given
in Appendix
technique, D. Figures
Equations 2 and 3and
(10)–(12), compare
the DTMthe method,
species concentrations obtained
Equations (15)–(17), using
with the
a numer-
AGM technique, Equations (10)–(12), and the DTM method, Equations (15)–(17), with a
ical solution. Figure 4 represents the dimensionless current versus the dimensionless rate
numerical solution. Figure 4 represents the dimensionless current versus the dimensionless
constant k. Tables 1 and 2 show the comparison between the numerical and analytical
rate constant k. Tables 1 and 2 show the comparison between the numerical and analytical
concentration of the substrate obtained by AGM and DTM for various values of parame-
concentration of the substrate obtained by AGM and DTM for various values of parameters,
ters, α = 0 .8, γ
α = 0.8, γ = 0.5,=and0.5for
, and for different
different values ofvalues of the
k. From k. From
tablesthe
it istables
founditthat
is found that the
the average
average
relativerelative
errors areerrors
lessare less5%.
than than 5%. When
When considering
considering the concentrations
the concentrations of theof the solute
solute R,
R,product
product P, P,
andand reactant
reactant S forS small
for small
values values of parameters,
of other other parameters, our analytical
our analytical results
results show
satisfactory
show agreement
satisfactory for k ≤for
agreement 1. k ≤ 1 .

Figure 2. Cont.
Electrochem 2022, 3, FOR PEER REVIEW 5
Electrochem 2022, 3 483
Electrochem 2022, 3, FOR PEER REVIEW 5

Figure
Figure
Figure 2.2. (a–c)
2. (a–c) (a–c)Profile
Profile ofofthe
Profile ofthe normalized
normalized
the normalized steady-state
steady-state concentrations
steady-state concentrations
concentrations R versus the the
RRversus
versus normalized distance
the normalized
normalized dis-
dis-
tance x forvarious
xtance
for various values
values ofof
thethe parameters
parameters k, 𝑘, 𝛼, and
and 𝛾 using
using Equations
Equations (10)
(10) and
and (15)
(15)
x for various values of the parameters 𝑘, 𝛼, and 𝛾 using Equations (10) and (15) The solid line
α, γ The
The solid
solid line
line
denotes the the
denotes
denotes AGM
the AGM
AGM method,
method,
method, (o (o
o(oo) represents
oo o)
o) represents
representsDTM,
DTM,
DTM, andand(*(*(****)
and **)*)denotes
denotesnumerical
denotes numerical simulation.
numericalsimulation.
simulation.

Figure 3.3. (a–c):

Figure (a–c):Profile
Profileofofthe
thenormalized
normalized steady-state
steady-state concentrations
concentrations P versus
P versus the normalized
the normalized dis-
distance
tance
x for x for
various various
values values
of the of the parameters
parameters k, and k , α ,
usingand γ using
Equations Equations
(11) and (11)
(16).
Figure 3. (a–c): Profile of the normalized steady-state concentrations P versus the normalized dis-
α, γ Theand (16).
solid The
line solid
denotes
line
the
tance denotes
x AGM
for thevalues
method,
various AGM
(o o method,
o) (o o o)
ofrepresents DTM,
the parameters represents
and *DTM,
k ,α (*, and γ and
*) denotes(*numerical
using* *) denotes numerical
simulation.
Equations simulation.
(11) and (16). The solid
line denotes the AGM method, (o o o) represents DTM, and (* * *) denotes numerical simulation.
Electrochem 2022, 3 484

Table 1. Comparison between the numerical and analytical expression of the concentration of the substrate obtained by AGM and DTM for the parameters
α = 0.8, γ = 0.5, and for different values of k.

Substrate Concentration S
k=0 k=0.5 k=1
x
AGM DTM AGM DTM AGM DTM
Error % Error % Error % Error % Error % Error %
NUM Equation Equation NUM Equation Equation NUM Equation Equation
for AGM for DTM for AGM for DTM for AGM for DTM
(12) (17) (12) (17) (12) (17)
0 1 1 1 0 0 0.9535 0.9294 0.9302 2.53 2.44 0.913 0.8667 0.8696 5.07 4.75
0.25 1 1 1 0 0 0.9576 0.9338 0.9346 2.49 2.40 0.9206 0.8748 0.8777 4.98 4.66
0.5 1 1 1 0 0 0.9681 0.9469 0.9477 2.19 2.11 0.9405 0.8994 0.9022 4.37 4.07
0.75 1 1 1 0 0 0.9830 0.9689 0.9695 1.43 1.37 0.9683 0.9409 0.9429 2.83 2.62
1 1 1 1 0 0 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.00 0.00 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.00 0.00
Average Error % 0 0 Average Error % 1.7274 1.6652 Average Error % 3.4481 3.2220

Table 2. Comparison between the numerical and analytical expression of the concentration of the substrate obtained by AGM and DTM for the parameters
k = 0.1, γ = 0.5, and for different values of α.

Substrate Concentration S
α=0.5 α=1 α=2
x
AGM DTM AGM DTM AGM DTM
Error % Error % Error % Error % Error % Error %
NUM Equation Equation NUM Equation Equation NUM Equation Equation
for AGM for DTM for AGM for DTM for AGM for DTM
(12) (17) (12) (17) (12) (17)
0 1 1 1 0 0 0.9837 0.9755 0.9756 0.83 0.82 0.9524 0.9294 0.9302 2.41 2.33
0.25 1 1 1 0 0 0.9851 0.9770 0.9771 0.82 0.81 0.9565 0.9338 0.9346 2.37 2.29
0.5 1 1 1 0 0 0.9888 0.9816 0.9817 0.73 0.72 0.9673 0.9469 0.9477 2.11 2.03
0.75 1 1 1 0 0 0.9940 0.9893 0.9893 0.47 0.47 0.9825 0.9689 0.9695 1.38 1.32
1 1 1 1 0 0 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.00 0.00 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.00 0.00
Average Error % 0 0 Average Error % 0.5714 0.5653 Average Error % 1.6563 1.5940
NUM—numerical simulation; AGM—Akbari-Ganji method; DTM—differential transform method.
Electrochem 2022, 3, FOR PEER REVIEW 6
Electrochem 2022, 3 485

Figure 4. (a,b):
Figure 4. (a,b): Dimensionless current
current versus
versus dimensionless
dimensionless rate constant k.𝑘.
rate constant

5. Discussions
Table 1. Comparison between the numerical and analytical expression of the concentration of the
Equations
substrate (10)–(12)
obtained by AGMand
and (15)–(17) areparameters
DTM for the 𝛼 = 0.8,analytical
the new simple 𝛾 = 0.5, and
expressions of the
for different val-
ues of k.
concentrations of the solute R, product P, and the reactant S, respectively. The concentration
profiles depend uponSubstrate
diffusion parameters (α and γ) and rate constant (k). In Figure 2a,c,
Concentration S
𝒌=𝟎 the profile of the solute concentration
𝒌 = 𝟎. 𝟓 is presented. These figures clearly 𝒌=𝟏 show that for
all small feasible values of the DTM parameters, the solute concentration R increases at the
𝒙 AGM DTM AGM AGM DTM
NUM Equa- Equation
Errorelectrode
% Error % surfaces, whereas itEqua-
NUM Equation
drops Error
as γ % k increase.
andError % Product concentration
NUM EquationEquation
Error %P increases
Error %
for AGM
in for DTM
Figure 3a,c when the tion kfor
parameters andAGM for increase,
alpha DTM while it increases for AGM
when γ for DTM
decreases.
tion (12) (17) (12) (12) (17)
(17)
However, there is no discernible difference between the variances of the parameters k, α,
0 1 1 1 0 0 0.9535 0.9294 0.9302 2.53 2.44 0.913 0.8667 0.8696 5.07 4.75
and γ and the reactant concentration S. It has been noted that a rise in the rate constant k
0.25 1 1 1 0 0 0.9576 0.9338 0.9346 2.49 2.40 0.9206 0.8748 0.8777 4.98 4.66
0.5 1 1 1 0
causes a0 fall in the S concentration.
0.9681 0.9469 0.9477
Figure
2.19
4a,b plots0.9405
2.11
the current against parameter
0.8994 0.9022 4.37
k. The
4.07
0.75 1 1 1 0 figure indicates
0 that
0.9830 the current
0.9689 increases
0.9695 1.43 as the
1.37rate constant k rises.
0.9683 0.9409 0.9429 2.83 2.62
1 1 1 1 0 0 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.00 0.00 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.00 0.00
Average Error % 0 6.
Conclusions
0 Average Error % 1.7274 1.6652 Average Error % 3.4481 3.2220
The set of nonlinear equations in the irreversible homogeneous reaction for finite
Table 2. Comparison
diffusion is discussed between
in thisthe numerical
study. Common and analytical
analyticalexpression
expressionsof the
areconcentration
provided for ofthe
the
substrate obtained by AGM and DTM for the parameters 𝑘 = 0.1, 𝛾 = 0.5, and
concentration of solute, product, reactant, and current for all diffusion values and the small for different val-
ues of α
values of .the kinetic parameters. Compared with other analytical methods, the AGM and
DTM are straightforward, withConcentration
Substrate a simple solution
S processes, yielding accurate results. The
𝜶 = 𝟎. 𝟓 non-steady-state circumstances 𝜶 = 𝟏 can also be handled with these methods. 𝜶 = 𝟐 The theoretical

𝒙
AGM
DTM Error %
and numerical results
AGM
were
DTM
further contrasted, and they were
AGM
found to be in good accord.
DTM Error %
Equa- Error
The %
method described here Error
can be%applied
for Errorto%examine membrane-transport studies, Error %as
NUM Equa- for NUM Equa- Equa- NUM Equation Equation for
tion for DTM AGM for DTM for DTM
tion (17) AGM well as some other instances
tion (12) tion (17)of ionic transport in semi-conductors
(12) and
(17) solid
AGM electrolytes.
(12)
This theoretical approach could be applied in more complicated cases when the transport
0 1 1 1 0 0 0.9837 0.9755 0.9756 0.83 0.82 0.9524 0.9294 0.9302 2.41 2.33
0.25 1 1 1 0
equation
0
contains non-linearities. 0.82
0.9851 0.9770 0.9771
It can also0.81
be used0.9565
with membranes
0.9338
and solid
0.9346 2.37
electrolytes,
2.29
0.5 1 1 1 0 where 0 diffusion is a crucial
0.9888 0.9816 phenomenon.
0.9817 0.73 0.72 0.9673 0.9469 0.9477 2.11 2.03
0.75 1 1 1 0 0 0.9940 0.9893 0.9893 0.47 0.47 0.9825 0.9689 0.9695 1.38 1.32
1 1 1 1 0 Author 1.0000 1.0000 S.A.S.S.:
0 Contributions: 1.0000 data 0.00
creation, software,
0.00 formal analysis,
1.0000 1.0000 writing—original
1.0000 0.00 draft;0.00R.S.:
Average Error % 0 writing,
0 formal analysis,
Average investigation,
Error % resources;
0.5714 M.C.D.: formal
0.5653 analysis,
Average Error %validation, visualization;
1.6563 1.5940
L.R.: conceptualization,
NUM—numerical methodology,
simulation; project administration,
AGM—Akbari-Ganji supervision, writing—review
method; DTM—differential transform method. and
editing; M.E.G.L.: investigation, resources, supervision, writing—review and editing. All authors
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
5. Discussions
Funding: This research
Equations received
(10)–(12) and no external are
(15)–(17) funding.
the new simple analytical expressions of the
concentrations
Institutional of the
Review solute
Board R, product
Statement: NotP, and the reactant S, respectively. The concentra-
applicable.
tion profiles depend upon diffusion parameters (α and γ) and rate constant (k). In Figure
Informed Consentof
2a,c, the profile Statement: Not
the solute applicable. is presented. These figures clearly show that
concentration
for all
Data small feasible
Availability valuesNot
Statement: of the parameters, the solute concentration R increases at the
applicable.
electrode surfaces, whereas it drops as γ and k increase. Product concentration P increases
Electrochem 2022, 3 486

Acknowledgments: This study was supported by AMET, a deemed university, Chennai. The authors
are grateful for the support of Shri J. Ramachandran, G. Thiruvasagam, and M. Jayaprakashvel,
Registrar, AMET, a deemed university, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The authors are also very
grateful to the management of the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India,
for their continuous support and encouragement.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Nomenclature

Symbols Name Unit

CR Concentration of reactant Mol cm−3
CP Concentration of product Mol cm−3
CS Concentration of solute Mol cm−3
CRb , CSb Bulk concentration Mol cm−3
CR0,SS Concentration of R at the electrode in steady-state Mol cm−3
δ Diffusion layer thickness cm
D Diffusion coefficient cm2 s−1
k2 Reaction-rate constant Mol cm−3 s
z Distance from the electrode surface cm
R Dimensionless concentration of reactant None
P Dimensionless concentration of product None
S Dimensionless concentration of solute None
x Dimensionless distance None
k Dimensionless rate constant None
α, γ Concentration ratio None
ψ Dimensionless current None
n Number of electrons transferred None

Appendix A. The Relationship between Concentrations of Species

In irreversible homogeneous reactions, the nonlinear second-order differential
Equations (3)–(5) are as follows:

d2 R ( x )
+ k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A1)
dx2

d2 P ( x )
− k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A2)
dx2
d2 S ( x )
− k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A3)
dx2
The boundary conditions are

dS
R = γ; P = α − γ; = 0 whenx = 0 (A4)
dx
R = α; P = 0; S = 1 whenx = 1 (A5)
Electrochem 2022, 3 487

Adding Equations (A1)–(A3), we get,

d2 R d2 S
+ 2 =0 (A6)
dx2 dx
Integrating (A6) twice, we get,

R( x ) = −S( x ) + C1 x + C2 (A7)

Using the boundary conditions (A4) and (A5) and simplifying, we obtain the relation
as follows:
R( x ) = −S( x ) + (α + 1) x − (γ + S(0))( x − 1) (A8)
where S(0) = S( x = 0) is obtained using AGM and DTM.
Subtracting Equations (A2) and (A3), we get,

d2 P d2 S
− 2 =0 (A9)
dx2 dx
Integrating (A9) twice, we get,

P( x ) = S( x ) + C1 x + C2 (A10)

Using the boundary conditions (A4) and (A5) and simplifying, we obtain the relation-
ship as follows:
P( x ) = S( x ) − (α + 1) x + (γ + S(0))( x − 1) + α (A11)

Appendix B. Analytical Solution of the Equations (3)–(5) Using AGM

The system of non-linear second-order differential Equations (3)–(5) in irreversible
homogeneous reactions are given as follows:

d2 R ( x )
+ k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A12)
dx2

d2 P ( x )
− k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A13)
dx2
d2 S ( x )
− k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A14)
dx2
dS
R = γ; P = α − γ; = 0 when x = 0 (A15)
dx
The boundary conditions are

R = α; P = 0; S = 1 when x = 1 (A16)

Using the relation between P and S (A10), the Equation (A14) can be written as follows

d2 S
− k(S − (α + 1) x + (γ + S(0))( x − 1) + α)S = 0 (A17)
dx2
By using the AGM method, we consider the trial solution

S( x ) = Acosh mx + Bsinh mx (A18)

where A, B and m are constants.

Using the boundary conditions (A15) and (A16) in (A18),we get

1
B = 0, A = (A19)
cosh m
Electrochem 2022, 3 488

By substituting (A19) in (A18), we get

cosh mx
S( x ) = (A20)
cosh m
By using AGM, the value of ‘m’ can be obtained as follows:
Substitute (A20) in (A17), and we get
 
2 cosh mx cosh mx cosh mx
m −k − (α + 1) x + (γ + sech(m))( x − 1) + α =0 (A21)
cosh m cosh m cosh m

By substituting x = 0 in (A21) and simplifying, we get

m2 − kα + kγ
=0 (A22)
cosh(m)

m can be obtained from the above equation as follows

q
m= k(α − γ) (A23)

where α − γ > 0.
Using (A8) and (A11), we get the analytical expressions of concentrations of R and P,
which are given in the main text Equations (10)–(12).

Appendix C. Approximate Analytical Solution of Nonlinear Differential

Equations (3)–(5) Using the DTM
Consider the differential equation and boundary conditions

d2 S ( x )
− k P( x ) S( x ) = 0 (A24)
dx2

dS
P = α − γ; = 0whenx = 0 (A25)
dx
The transformed version of (A24) and (A25) are, respectively, given by
n
(n + 2)(n + 1) S(n + 2) − k ∑ S(n) P(n − r ) = 0 (A26)
r =0

P(0) = α − γ, S(1) = 0. (A27)

Assume that
S (0) = l (A28)
Letting n = 0 and substituting (A27) and (A28) into (A26), imply

2 S(2) − k(S(0) P(0)) = 0, (A29)

that is,
k l (α − γ)
S (2) = (A30)
2
The differential inverse transforms of u(n) is defined as
2
S( x ) = ∑n=0 S(n)(x − x0 )n , (A31)

By letting x0 = 0, we obtain the following second-order closed-form solution

2 k l (α − γ) 2
S( x ) = ∑n=0 S(n)(x)n = l + 2
x (A32)
Electrochem 2022, 3 489

By using the boundary conditions S = 1when x = 1, we get the value of l as

2
l= , (A33)
2 + k(α − γ)

and hence, the approximate analytical solution for the concentration of the substrate is

2 + k (α − γ) x2
S( x ) = (A34)
2 + k(α − γ)

Appendix D. Numerical Solution of Nonlinear Equations (3)–(5)

function pdex4
m = 0;
x = linspace(0,1);
t = linspace(0,1000);
sol = pdepe(m,@pdex4pde,@pdex4ic,@pdex4bc,x,t);
u1 = sol(:,:,1);
u2 = sol(:,:,2);
u3 = sol(:,:,3);
figure
plot(x,u1(end,:))
title(‘u1(x,t)’)
figure
plot(x,u2(end,:))
title(‘u2(x,t)’)
figure
plot(x, u3(end,:))
title(‘u3(x,t)’)
% ————————————————————–
function [c,f,s] = pdex4pde(x,t,u,DuDx)
κ = 0.5; %These parameter values are used in Figure 2
c = [1;1;1];
f = [1;1;1].*DuDx;
F1 = κ * u(2)*u(3);
F2 = -κ *u(2)*u(3);
F3 = -κ *u(2)*u(3);
s = [F1;F2;F3];
% ————————————————————–
function u0 = pdex4ic(x)
u0 = [0; 0; 1];
% ————————————————————–
function [pl,ql,pr,qr] = pdex4bc(xl,ul,xr,ur,t)
pl = [ul(1)-0.5;ul(2)-0.3;0];
ql = [0;0;1];
pr = [ur(1)-0.8;ur(2);ur(3)-1];
qr = [0; 0; 0];

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