CURRENT AND POTENTIAL OSCILLATIONS IN BELOUSOV-ZHABOTINSKY SYSTEMS

A critical examination of the current potential oscillations in self oscillatory B-Z system is presented for the first time employing p-Vanillin and Gallic acid as the substrates. The ratio of the number of potential to current oscillations is 1:1 or 1:2 depending upon the predominance of the redox couple controlling the potential. The systems involving p-Vanillin-Mn(II) as well as Gallic acid-Ferroin are characterised by dual oscillatory behaviour. The inclusion of the complexing agent decreases the time per oscillation in the oscillatory phase under mixed control and increases the time per oscillation in the oscillatory phase under exclusive metal ion control. These observations can be well understood in terms of the relevant steps involved in the generally accepted (FKN) mechanism for the B-Z system.