Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction perturbation

Ruoff, R Forsterling, H.-D. Gyorgyi, L. Noyes, R. M. Bromous acid perturbations in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction—experiments and model calculations of phase response curves. J. Phys. Chem. 1991, 95, 9314-9320. 

It is well known that the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction can initiate free radical polymerisation (2) while it is less known that polymers can also affect the dynamics of the BZ reaction. Recently, we have performed preliminary experiments perturbing the BZ reaction with two different water-soluble nonionic polymers containing alcoholic end-groups, namely polypropylene glycol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (i). It was realized that the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction responded to the perturbation in an unexpected way. Thus, a systematic study was undertaken to inquire whether the perturbation effect can be attributed exclusively to PEG reactive endgroups (here primary alcoholic groups) or the chemical nature of polymeric backbone plays also a relevant role. 

Ruoff, P. 1984. Phase Response Relationships of the Closed Bromide-Perturbed Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction. Evidence of Bromide Control of the Free Oscillating State without Use of a Bromide-Detecting Device, J. Phys. Chem. 88, 2851-2857. 

In homogeneous context the steady state provides a unique opportunity for disentangling reaction mechanisms by observing and classifying phase responses to delicate perturbations by diverse intermediates [4-7]. This opportunity was followed up by Hynne and Sorensen in the well-stirred Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction [8-10]. 

To calculate the critical perturbation necessary for wave initiation, we choose a modified Oregonator model [18-20] for an excitable and an oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction and numerically solve the deterministic reaction-diffusion equations for the system in one spatial dimension. We determine both the critical radius and the critical concentration change necessary for trigger wave propagation to proceed. We review the model in this section before proceeding to the results of the critical perturbations necessary for wave initiation. 

Jahan, R.A., Suzuki, K., Mahara, H., Nishimura, S., Iwatsubo, T., Kaminaga, A., Yamamoto, Y., Yamaguchi, T. Perturbation mechanism and phase transition of AOT aggregates in the Fe(H)[batho(S03)2]3 - catalyzed aqueous Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. Chem. Phys. Lett. 485(4-6), 304-308 (2010)... 

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