Periodical alternation between precipitation and dissolution of camphor solid film on an ethanol solution.

Abstract

Rhythmic behaviors are generally observed in nonlinear chemical reactions such as the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction and enzymatic reactions. Similarly, a simple phase change can also lead to rhythmic behavior. It has been reported previously that camphor solid films alternate between generation and disappearance on ethanol (EtOH) solution, and a phenomenological mechanism has been suggested for this. The evaporation of EtOH decreases the temperature on the surface of the solution via vaporization heat and induces precipitation in the camphor solid film. At this time, the film prevents evaporation, and thus, the surface temperature increases due to thermal diffusion from the atmosphere, resulting in dissolution of the solid film. To verify the previously suggested phenomenological mechanism, we controlled the evaporation rate of EtOH using a porous plastic cover. As a result, the period of oscillation increased with decreasing pore diameter, and finally, the oscillation did not occur without pore in the cover, where the camphor solid film was not observed. Additionally, a new mathematical model was proposed, and the numerical calculations agreed well with experimental observations. Linear stability and bifurcation analyses revealed the detailed mechanism of this phenomenon, which agreed well with the phenomenological explanation mentioned above.