Dissipative structures, i.e. oscillations, multistability and related phenomena occurring under non-equilibrium conditions are a result of the loss of stability by the steady-states, caused by the feedback loops in the processes determining the dynamics of such systems. Such self-organization can manifest itself as a function of either only time coordinate (simultaneous oscillations of the entire system’s state), or only spatial coordinate (e.g. Turing patterns), or both coordinates (traveling chemical waves). The universality of such phenomena in various systems, at the level of their mathematical description, is remarkable.

Following the basic characteristics of such nonlinear dynamic phenomena their selected examples, studied in our lab for recent years, will be presented. The electroreduction processes of complex compounds of nickel(II) and of mercury ions at Hg electrode will serve as the examples of the oscillatory changes of state, bistability and (rarely experimentally reported) tristability. The universal self-organization scheme of the convective cells into hexagonal and fingerprints-like patterns will be shown for the electrohydrodynamic convection in the thin-layer electrolytic cells, with the luminescence distribution showing the geometry of the fluid flows. Finally, the catalytic oxidation of thiocyanates with hydrogen peroxide will be shown as a source of traveling chemical waves, here visualized by the spatial distribution of luminescence of luminol.

The relation of such type of nonlinear phenomena to the material science will be further outlined based on selected examples. The examples will include, among others, the effect of the self-organized convection on the morphology of the surface of cathodically deposited copper, the formation of other surface (micro)patterns, as well as  polymerization reactions.

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1. Anomalous potentiometric response of the platinum electrode in the oscillatory processes with hydrogen peroxide
2. Electrochemical oscillations and bistability in the redox processes of mercury ions, coupled with the self-induced convection of Hg surface.
3. Non-additivity of faradaic currents associated with the parallel reduction of some metal cations and hydrogen ion at the mercury electrode