Pattern formation in a ferroin-bromate system

Abstract

Stationary mosaic patterns may spontaneously develop in a thin film of solution containing H₂SO₄, NaBrO₃, KBr, ferroin, and 4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid. The pattern formation is affected by initial reactant concentrations and depends on the generation of elemental bromine. Depending on initial reactant concentrations, a vivid nonsynchronous oxidation transition may also occur. Results of experiments designed to distinguish between physical and chemical mechanisms are presented.