Dynamic response of an irreversible catalytic reaction to periodic variation of the reactant's pressure

The dynamic response of the Ziff, Gulari, and Barshad model for the catalyt ic oxidation of CO, to a periodic variation of the external pressure is stu died close to the CO-poisoning transition. Due to the applied pressure, a c onsiderable enhancement in the catalytic activity is observed when the syst em is briefly driven into the CO-poisoned state. However, saturation of cat alysts' surface can be induced by applying signals of either long period or high amplitude. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)504 05-X].