Modelling of Heterogeneously Catalyzed Reactions by Cellular Automata of Dimension Between One and Two

Experiments on the catalytic oxidation of CO on palladium supporting catalysts are modelled by the use of cellular automata. The discrete character of the models does not represent the molecular events, but reflects the microscopic origin of the macroscopic patterns that are observed. With one-dimensional automata it is mainly the temporal patterns of the oscillating reaction that can be modelled, whereas automata with a fractal dimension between one and two are used to study spatial pattern formation on an idealized model for amorphous catalytic material.