Periodic Precipitation in Hele-Shaw Cells: Mechanism Insights from Experiments and Numerical Simulation Considering Layer Thickness Effects.

ABSTRACT: Liesegang patterns are self-organized macroscopic structures formed by precipitates. Traditional methods for producing these patterns rely on gel phases, which inhibit flow but introduce complications, such as undesired chemical interactions. This study presents a strategic approach utilizing a "Hele-Shaw cell", consisting of two glass plates that create a narrow gap (30-225 μm). This setup prevents flow due to friction between glass surfaces without the use of a gel. We identified two critical thresholds for the gap thickness: one that inhibits flow and another that facilitates discrete precipitate bands. For aqueous solutions of CuCl₂ and K₂CrO₄, these thresholds were determined to be 110 and 150 μm, respectively. Below the first threshold, the period of

SUBMITTER: Suematsu NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12704908 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature