Distance dependent types of coupling of chemical micro-oscillators immersed in a water-in-oil microemulsion

Abstract

A system of micro-spheres immersed in a water-in-oil microemulsion (ME) is studied both theoretically and experimentally. A catalyst for the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction is immobilized in the micro-spheres, which are called BZ micro-oscillators (BZ MOs). The ME is loaded with all the reagents of the BZ reaction, except the catalyst. Fresh BZ reagents in the ME constantly feed BZ MOs. Diffusively coupled BZ MOs in this system demonstrate excitatory coupling at short gaps and inhibitory coupling at long gaps between BZ MOs. The critical gap, at which the transition between excitatory and inhibitory types of coupling occurs, depends on both the BZ concentration and the size of the ME nanodroplets and can range from a few to tens of micrometers. Different oscillatory patterns of BZ MOs with in-phase and anti-phase oscillations of neighboring BZ MOs have been found. Turing patterns are found as well. A network of such BZ MOs can be used for the creation of a chemical computer.