Oscillating chemiluminescence with thiosemicarbazide in a batch reactor

Oscillating chemical reactions are complex systems involving a large number of chemical species. In oscillating chemical reactions, some species, usually reaction intermediates, exhibit fluctuations in their concentration. In this report, a novel slowly-damped oscillating chemiluminescence produced by the addition of thiosemicarbazide (TSC) to the oscillating system H2O2-KSCN-CuSO4-NaOH was investigated. Narrow and slightly asymmetric light pulses of 1.5 s half-width are emitted at 440 nm, with an oscillation period of 22-363 s, an induction period of 9-397 s and an emitted light time of 700-1500 s, depending on reagent concentrations. In this study the dependence of the induction period and the oscillation period on the reagent concentrations was investigated and both parameters were plotted with respect to reagent concentrations. Copper concentration showed a significant effect on the oscillation period. A possible mechanism for the oscillating chemiluminescence reaction is discussed.