Two kinds of different mechanistic oscillations can be displayed in the H_2O_2-KSCN-CuSO_4-NaOH system. One discovered by this study is the pH oscillation in a continuous flow stirred tank reactor(CSTR) resulting from the oxidation of KSCN. The other is the oscillation of H_2O_2 decomposition in both CSTR and batch reactors(reported by Orbáin in 1986). Under appropriate experimental conditions, the system exhibits a birhythmicity in a CSTR. Two different pH oscillations are reported here. The pH oscillations which accompany the decomposition of H_2O_2 exist in the batch reactor and the CSTR at a high flowrate, but the pH oscillations in a CSTR at a low flowrate originates from proton positive and negative feedback in the oxidation of KSCN. The oscillation of non-catalyzed oxidation of KSCN by hydrogen peroxide in a CSTR can be found. Also we have observed whether Cu^(2+) exists or not in the batch system, the pH increases to near neutral ultimately after pH drops twice.
GAO Qing-yu, SUN Kang and MENG Fan-yong (College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, P. R. China) CAI Zun-sheng and ZHAO Xue-zhuang (Department of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China) To whom correspondence should be addressed.
