Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.117, No.48, 12719-12725, 2013
Propagating Precipitation Waves: Experiments and Modeling
Traveling precipitation waves, including counterrotating spiral waves, are observed in the precipitation reaction of AlCl3 with NaOH [Volford, A.; et al. Langmuir 2007, 23, 961-964]. Experimental and computational studies are carried out to characterize the wave behavior in cross-section configurations. A modified sol-coagulation model is developed that is based on models of Liesegang band and redissolution systems. The dynamics of the propagating waves is characterized in terms of growth and redissolution of a precipitation feature that travels through a migrating band of colloidal precipitate.