Diffusion-Controlled Reactions

It is apparent that the kinetic rate kD influences the effective rate of reaction and that in certain circumstances (kr � kr) it becomes the rate­ limiting step [keff = kD]. Accordingly, the rate coefficient kD' which describes the mass transport rate at which reactants encounter each other, is of central concern to solution kineticists. There is little doubt that the subject of diffusion-controlled reactions has broad application beyond this prototype example. Diffusion-controlled reactions play a prominent role in heterogeneous catalysis (after all, the perfeot catalyst leads to mass transport limitations), polymer chain growth kinetics, colloid or crystal growth, and biophysical chemistry.