Diffusion-controlled reactions among spherical traps: Effect of polydispersity in trap size

Abstract

We consider determining the steady-state trapping rate k associated with diffusion-controlled reactions among static, spherical traps with a polydispersity in trap size. Both discrete and continuous size distributions are examined. Theoretical methods, such as rigorous bounds and survival-probability theory, as well as computer-simulation techniques, are employed to address this problem. It is found that the trapping rate for the polydisperse system generally increases or decreases (relative to the monodisperse case) depending upon whether the relative interfacial surface area increases or decreases.