Diffusional interactions at dual disk microelectrodes: comparison of experiment with three-dimensional random walk simulations

Three-dimensional random walk simulations were used to model the diffusional interactions between coplanar dual disk microelectrodes. Working curves for the dependence of shielding factor, collection efficiency, and amplification factor on the size of the gap between the electrodes were developed. The simulations showed that when the gap size was greater than or equal to 22 radii, the electrodes could be considered as independent and diffusionally isolated. Empirical equations for determining the gap size from simple shielding and generator-collector experiments were established. The simulation was used to model the collector electrode response for square waves of various frequencies applied to the generator electrode. Simulation results were in excellent agreement with the experimental results for several dual disk electrodes having various gap sizes. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.