Influence of Oil Density on Self-Propelled Motion of Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction Droplet

Authors

Vivek Bharat Meshram, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, IndiaFollow
Anupama Sebastian, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, IndiaFollow
Puthiyapurayil Sibeesh, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, IndiaFollow
T K Shajahan, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, IndiaFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Vivek Bharat Meshram 0000-0001-7413-3314

Anupama Sebastian 0000-0003-4353-2368

Puthiyapurayil Sibeesh 0000-0003-4651-3146

T K Shajahan 0000-0001-5551-1324

DOI

10.22191/nejcs/vol7/iss1/2

Abstract

Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction serves as an example of the nonlinear chemical oscillator in which the reacting substance undergoes sequential oxidation and reduction. A droplet containing the BZ reaction, when placed within the oily environment, can self-propel. In this experimental work, we explore the effect of oil medium density on the BZ reaction droplet dynamics. In an oil medium with lower density, the BZ droplet exhibits higher speed and effective diffusivity but a shorter lifetime. Both the distance and speed of the droplet initially increase with droplet volume. However, beyond a critical volume, the distance decreases while the speed stays constant. Interestingly, the critical volumes for distance and speed are not the same. This experimental work might help researchers understand the self-propelled motion of active matter in different media.

Recommended Citation

Meshram, Vivek Bharat; Sebastian, Anupama; Sibeesh, Puthiyapurayil; and Shajahan, T K (2025) "Influence of Oil Density on Self-Propelled Motion of Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction Droplet," Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS): Vol. 7 : No. 1 , Article 2.
DOI: 10.22191/nejcs/vol7/iss1/2
Available at: https://orb.binghamton.edu/nejcs/vol7/iss1/2