Fluctuations in heterogeneous catalysis: CO oxidation as a case study

Nowadays, it is well-recognized that complex dynamics systems with
strong nonlinearities and stochastic fluctuations can induce unexpected
and new ordered phenomena. Of particular interest are recent experimental
studies of fluctuations in the catalytic CO oxidation on nanoscale
surfaces [1,2].
These studies suggest a loss of bistability due to noise-induced
transitions
between stable states. In this talk, first I will show theoretically
that fluctuations
can induce transitions in those nanoscale systems. Second, using a
reaction-diffusion
stochastic model for CO oxidation at low enough diffusion length, I
will discuss
the possibility of a first-order phase transition induced by the
interplay of internal
fluctuations and diffusion. Finally, some perspectives and future
extension will also be presented.

[1] Y Suchorski, et. al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 1907 (1999).
[2] V. Johanek, et. al. Science. 304, 1639 (2004).