A mathematical study of the one-dimensional Keller and Rubinow model for Liesegang bands (Q2391031)

The purpose of the paper is trying to understand from a mathematical viewpoint experiments in which regularized structures with spatially distinct bands or rings of precipitated material are exhibited. Such patterens are known as Liesegang bands or rings. The authors consider a one-dimensional Keller and Rubinow model and present conditions ensuring the existence of Liesegang bands. More specifically, let \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) be the concentrations of the monomers \({\mathcal A}\), \({\mathcal B}\) and product \({\mathcal C}\) for the reaction process \({\mathcal A}+{\mathcal B}\rightarrow {\mathcal C}\) and let \(d\) be the concentration of the precipitate \({\mathcal D}\), formed by the precipitation \({\mathcal C}\rightarrow {\mathcal D}\). Then the process can be described by the following reaction-diffusion system: \[ \begin{cases} a_t & = D_aa_{xx}-kab,\\ b_t & = D_bb_{xx}-kab,\\ c_t & = D_cc_{xx}+kab-P(c,d),\\ d_t & = P(c,d), \end{cases} \] where \(D_a,D_b,D_c\) are the diffusivities of \({\mathcal A},{\mathcal B},{\mathcal C}\) respectively and \(P(c,d)\) is the precipitation term having the expression \[ P(c,d)=\begin{cases} 0 & \text{if } c<C_s \text{ and } d=0,\\ \lambda (c-c^*) & \text{if } c\geq C_s \text{ or } d>0. \end{cases} \] Here \(C_s\) and \(c^*\) are super-saturation and saturation concentrations respectively, and \(\lambda\) is the constant rate of the precipitation \({\mathcal C}\rightarrow {\mathcal D}\). Under appropriate conditions and simplifying assumptions, the authors show that the model exhibits infinitely many distinct precipitations and the so-called time-law is satisfied.