New indicators for visualizing pattern
formation in uncatalyzed bromate oscillatory systems
Orban M, Kurin-Csorgei K, Zhabotinsky AM, Epstein IR
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
120 (6): 1146-1150 FEB 18 1998
Abstract:
Many uncatalyzed bromate oscillators (UBO's) undergo oscillations in
electrochemical potential without any observable
color change in a closed, stirred (batch) system. We have investigated
the effects of adding a wide variety of redox
indicators, including diphenylamine derivatives, azo dyestuffs, triphenylmethane
derivatives, diimine chelate complexes, and
methylene blue to UBO's. We find that in many cases the indicators
make the batch oscillations strikingly visible and also
allow observation of spatial pattern formation (concentric rings and
spirals) in a thin, unstirred layer of solution. In some
systems, the indicators act merely to make visible changes in redox
potential, while in others they play an active role in the
chemistry, and added indicator can lengthen the duration of oscillations
or regenerate oscillations or patterns once this
behavior has ceased.