Simulation of Liesegang patterns: Effect of reversible complex formation of precipitate

Formation of 1D Liesegang patterns was studied numerically by assuming precipitation and reversible complex formation. The Ostwald's supersaturation model reported by Buki, Karpati-Smidroczki, and Zrinyi (BKZ model) was developed and extended further. The position of the first and last bands measured from the junction point of the inner and outer electrolytes is linearly proportional to the square root of its formation time for the different initial concentrations of inner electrolyte (beta(o)). The propagation of patterns along the diffusion column is slower at higher beta(o). The correlation between the distance of the first and last bands measured from the beginning of the diffusion column is strictly linear. The variation of the total number of bands with beta(o) has a maximum. The presented model reproduces the moving precipitate zones and nonlinear oscillation of the total number of bands in time due to the complex formation of the precipitate.