Contrast in Magnetic Resonance Images of chemical waves associated with the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

Abstract

The determinants of contrast in magnetic resonance images of chemical waves, associated with the manganese-catalyzed BZ reaction, were investigated by studying the role of ortho-, pyro-, and meta-phosphates in the stabilization the Mn3+ ion. Relaxation times, T1 and T2, were measured for BZ reaction mixtures containing each of the phosphates (H3P04 , Na3P04 , Na4P20 7 , Na5P30 10 ) at several concentrations and over a range of time. These parameters were measured for both the "reduced" and "oxidized" states of manganese in the reaction. It is concluded that the pyro-phosphate, Na4P20 7, is the most suitable compound for MRI studies of chemical waves, particularly for studies of 3-D structures, in this system.