Dynamics of reactant interfaces in irreversible reaction systems

Recent progress in the study and understanding of the properties of interfa ces between reactants in irreversible reaction systems, gained from Monte C arlo simulations, is reviewed and discussed. The displacement of unstable p hases by stable ones causes the formation of interfaces. This mechanism is particularly relevant close to first-order irreversible phase transitions, where phase coexistence is observed. Different variants of the monomer-momo mer and the monomer-dimer models exhibit such transitions, and they are the refore suitable for the study of interfacial properties. More specifically, due to stimulating experimental findings, the monomer-dimer model, which m imics the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide, has been the subject of e xtensive studies, which are discussed in detail.