MRI Study of Liesegang Patterns: Mass Transport and Banded Inorganic Phase Formation in Gel

Abstract

A new non-optic method for the study of Liesegang patterns was tested. Liesegang patterns are periodically banded precipitates produced by the reaction–diffusion process, mostly occurring in geology. The Liesegang experiment (5.5 M NH₄OH, gelatin matrix with 0.4 M MgSO₄) was monitored using a 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, allowing the acquisition of sample images in any location and orientation without interfering with the process studied. The development of patterns in a gel matrix was observed for 7 days after starting the reaction. Qualitative data (T₂- and T₂*-weighted images) and quantitative T₂ maps were acquired. Preliminary experiments show that MRI is able to distinguish the regions between the precipitated bands and the structural changes in the gel matrix during the reaction. A damaged gel matrix was measured to reveal the effect of the initial reagent-gel contact area. MRI study of Liesegang patterns provides empirical data which can be used in theoretical model testing.