Experimental pattern transitions in a Liesegang system

Abstract

We experimentally found various patterns of precipitation in a lead iodide Liesegang system: periodic precipitation, continuous tree-like crystal aggregates and periodic tree-like crystal aggregates. Gel and reactant concentrations are two major controlling factors. At high gel concentrations, Liesegang band forms, whereas at low gel concentrations, tree-like crystal aggregates similar to diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) develop in the entire system. At an intermediate gel concentration, Liesegang band and tree-like crystal aggregates coexist. At lower reactant concentration, the periodic tree-like crystal aggregates tends to form. A simple scaling argument that the kinetics of bulk and surface nucleation plays an important role, is presented to understand the effect of gel concentration on pattern transition.