Belousov–Zhabotinsky Reaction and its Metal Complex Catalysts

We investigated the impact of four different light-sensitive redox catalysts (Ru(bpy)₃, Ru(bpm)₃, Ru(bpz)₃, and Fe(CN)₆) in the oscillatory nonlinear chemical Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction and how these catalysts could be used to tune the reaction’s oscillation period with light. The reaction showed a larger dependence on UV light than visible light because of the catalyst’s absorbance is higher for UV wavelengths and those energies are able to excite the complexes more effectively. Also, the oscillation period T decreased as the light intensity I increased. Although Ru(bpm)₃, Ru(bpz)₃, and Fe(CN)₆) can be used as catalysts in the BZ reaction, only Ru(bpy)₃ displayed observable oscillations under the conditions used. We found that UVB light sources had a 240 % larger effect on the oscillation period compared to visible LED light and that the T(I) relationship follows a linear dependence of −2.8(9) s · cm² ·mW⁻¹ for UVB light and −2.9(5) × 10⁻⁴ s · lx⁻¹ for LED light.