Spatial dissipative structures formed by spontaneous molecular aggregation at interfaces

Abstract

Interfacial processes as well as formation of dissipative structures have been suggested to play a key role in early pre-biotic evolutionary stages, mainly due to the ability of such processes to induce aggregation and spatial structuring. In this context we would like to draw attention to our recent findings regarding a remarkably wide collection of interfacial chemical reactions which form dissipative spatial structures. Three types of interfacial processes were found to yield this phenomenon: photochemical oxidations at liquid/air and liquid/liquid interfaces; gas/solution reactions; and reactions at membrane surfaces. The phenomenon we describe is the first major example of a network of chemical reactions that develop into macroscopic far-from-equilibrium concentration patterns.