Oscillations induced by light in reactions of glycerol triacetate

A new Beluosov-Zhabotinskii oscillating reaction induced by light with glyc erol triacetate as substrate in cyclohexane-water at (30 +/- 0.1) degreesC has been designed. The main light resource was a pair of 5W electronic fluo rescent lamp. The oscillatory curves were monitored by the general method u sing Pt electrode and Br- electrode, as well as a pair of Pt electrode. Eff ects of various factors on the oscillating reaction were studied, including the change of concentrations, substitution of light and organic solvent, a s well as the addition of various surfactants. The experiments show that th e light range which can induce the oscillation is very large. It was demons trated that cyclohexane was inactive according to the separation and analys is of the organic solvent. An oscillatory mechanism is also put forward on the basis of the experimental results. Mathematical simulation proves that the mechanism is correct. A new way to design chemical oscillator for induc ing ocillation in a variety of reactions is thus developed.