Composite catalyst surfaces: Effect of inert and active heterogeneities on pattern formation
- Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik komplexer Systeme, Dresden (Germany)
- Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
- Fritz-Haber-Instiut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Berlin (Germany)
Spatiotemporal dynamics in reaction-diffusion systems can be altered through the properties (reactivity, diffusivity) of the medium in which they occur. We construct active heterogeneous media (composite catalytic surfaces with inert as well as active illusions) using microelectronics fabrication techniques and study the spatiotemporal dynamics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions on these catalysts. In parallel, we perform simulations as well as numerical stability and bifurcation analysis of these patterns using mechanistic models. At the limit of large heterogeneity `grain size` (compared to the wavelength of spontaneously arising structures) the interaction patterns with inert or active boundaries dominates (e.g., pinning, transmission, and boundary breakup of spirals, interaction of pulses with corners, `pacemaker` effects). At the opposite limit of very small or very finely distributed heterogeneity, effective behavior is observed (slight modulation of pulses, nearly uniform oscillations, effective spirals). Some representative studies of transitions between the two limits are presented. 48 refs., 11 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 447216
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol. 100, Issue 49; Other Information: PBD: 5 Dec 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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