Modeling periodic and chaotic dynamics in anodic nickel dissolution

A systematic approach for modeling and parameters estimation of the motions and singularities observed in anodic nickel dissolution in sulfuric acid is presented. The observed and modeled behaviors include bistability, periodic oscillations bounded by Hopf and saddle loop bifurcations, the disappearance of these transitions in a double-zero singularity, and the existence of chaotic solutions which are bounded by a period-doubling transition. The modeling and parameter estimation are based on comparison of the experimental and simulated bifurcation maps, showing domains of different characteristic behaviors in the plane of applied constant current vs acid concentration. Qualitative agreement between the observed and predicted maps has been obtained.