Influence of Oil Density on Self-Propelled Motion of Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction Droplet
Year: 2025
Type: article
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.
Language: English
Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407564569