Asymptotics of reaction-diffusion fronts with one static and one diffusing reactant

The long-time behavior of a reaction-diffusion front between one static (e.g. porous solid) reactant A and one initially separated diffusing reactant B is analyzed for the mean-field reaction-rate density R(rho (A), rho (B)) = k rho (m)(A)rho (n)(B). A uniformly valid asymptotic approximation is constructed from matched self-similar solutions in a "reaction front" (of width w similar to t(alpha), where R similar to t(beta) enters the dominant balance) and a "diffusion layer" (of width W similar to t(1/2), where R is negligible). The limiting solution exists if and only if m, n greater than or equal to 1, in which case the scaling exponents are uniquely given by alpha = (m - 1)/2(m + 1) and beta = m/(m + 1). In the diffusion layer, the common ad hoc approximation of neglecting reactions is given mathematical justification, and the exact transient decay of the reaction rate is derived. The physical effects of higher-order kinetics (m, n > 1), such as the broadening of the reaction front and the slowing of transients, are also discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.