Spatial bistability and waves in a reaction with acid autocatalysis

J. BOISSONADE; E. DULOS; F. GAUFFRE; M. N. KUPERMAN; P. DE KEPPER

FARADAY DISCUSSIONS

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

Año: 2002 vol. 120 p. 353 - 361

1364-5498

The phenomenon of spatial bistability has recently been proposed for a comprehensive understanding of a number of chemical patterns observed in open spatial reactors consisting of thin films of gel diffusively fed from one side. We study experimentally and numerically this phenomenon in the tetrathionate–chlorite reaction characterized by an acid superautocatalysis. We focus on the similarities and differences with previous studies on the chlorine dioxide–iodide reaction. In addition, we show that this reaction, which is only bistable in a continuous stirred tank reactor, can exhibit oscillatory and traveling waves when diffusion comes into play. Our computations suggest that the nonstationary behaviour originates from differential diffusive transport.