Diffusional release of a solute from a polymeric matrix — approximate analytical solutions

A refined integral method has been successfully applied to moving boundary problems encountered in the diffusional release of a solute from a polymeric matrix. The release kinetics has been analyzed for both erodible and non-erodible matrices with perfect sink and constant, finite external volume conditions. The range of applicability of these approximate analytical solutions has been established by comparison with available exact solutions. p]The approximate analytical solutions presented here are much more accurate than the pseudosteady-state results and much easier to use routinely than the exact solutions. For a dispersed solute, the results presented here are particularly useful for cases where the solute loading is not in great excess of the solute solubility in the matrix.