Front motion in an $A+B\to C$ type reaction-diffusion process: Effects of an electric field

Abstract

We study the effects of an external electric field on both the motion of the reaction zone and the spatial distribution of the reaction product, $C$, in an irreversible $A^{-}+B^{+}\to C$ reaction-diffusion process. The electrolytes $A\equiv (A^{+},A^{-})$ and $B\equiv (B^{+},B^{-})$ are initially separated in space and the ion-dynamics is described by reaction-diffusion equations obeying local electroneutrality. Without an electric field, the reaction zone moves diffusively leaving behind a constant concentration of $C$-s. In the presence of an electric field which drives the reagents towards the reaction zone, we find that the reaction zone still moves diffusively but with a diffusion coefficient which slightly decreases with increasing field. The important electric field effect is that the concentration of $C$-s is no longer constant but increases linearly in the direction of the motion of the front. The case of an electric field of reversed polarity is also discussed and it is found that the motion of the front has a diffusive, as well as a drift component. The concentration of $C$-s decreases in the direction of the motion of the front, up to the complete extinction of the reaction. Possible applications of the above results to the understanding of the formation of Liesegang patterns in an electric field is briefly outlined.

13 pages, 13 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phys

References in corpus (5)

• Derivation of the Matalon-Packter law for Liesegang patterns
• Formation of Liesegang patterns: A spinodal decomposition scenario
• Formation of Liesegang Patterns
• Formation of Liesegang patterns: Simulations using a kinetic Ising model
• Concentration Profiles and Reaction Fronts in A + B -> C Type Processes: Effect of Background Ions

Cited by in corpus (6)

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• Formation of Liesegang patterns in the presence of an electric field
• Comparison of models and lattice-gas simulations for Liesegang patterns
• Encoding information into precipitation structures
• Width of reaction zones in A + B -> C type reaction-diffusion processes: Effects of an electric current