Electrolytic alkaline cells

Battery electrolytes are concentrated solutions of strong electrolytes and the Debye-Huckel theory of dilute solutions is only an approximation. Typical values for the resistivity of battery electrolytes range from about 1 ohmcm for sulfuric acid [7664-93-9] H2SO4, in lead—acid batteries and for potassium hydroxide [1310-58-3] KOH, in alkaline cells to about 100 ohmcm for organic electrolytes in lithium [7439-93-2] Li, batteries. 

Cylindrical alkaline cells are 2inc—manganese dioxide cells having an alkaline electrolyte, which are constmcted in the standard cylindrical si2es, R20 "D", R14 "C", R6 "AA", R03 "AAA", as well as a few other less common si2es. They can be used in the same types of devices as ordinary Leclanchn and 2inc chloride cells. Moreover, the high level of performance makes them ideally suited for appHcations such as toys, audio devices, and cameras. 

In a cylindrical alkaline cell, the amount of electrolyte is limited and the electrolyte becomes saturated with 2incate rather early in the discharge. Thus the cell produces the 2inc oxide reaction product through most of its discharge. 

Cylindrical alkaline cells are made in only a few standard si2es and have only one important chemistry. In contrast, miniature alkaline cells are made in a large number of different si2es, using many different chemical systems. Whereas the cylindrical alkaline batteries are multipurpose batteries, used for a wide variety of devices under a variety of discharge conditions, miniature alkaline batteries are highly speciali2ed, with the cathode material, separator type, and electrolyte all chosen to match the particular appHcation. 

Alkaline batteries were introduced in the early 1960s they last two to five times longer than Zn-carbon cells on continuous discharge and command two or three times the price in the USA (far more in Europe and the East). Alkaline cells became a necessary invention and they succeeded as a result of the requirements of the electronic devices. The essential improvement was the change from ammonium chloride and/or zinc chloride electrolyte to alkaline (KOH) electrolyte, the steel can construction, the outside cathode, and the zinc powder (large surface) anode. A main low-cost feature is that they use pressed cathodes and do not need to follow "jellyroll"... 

It has been illustrated that polycrystalline materials can be operated in regenerative electrolytic solar cells yielding substantial fractions of the respectable energy conversion efficiency obtained by using single crystals. Pressure-sintered electrodes of CdSe subsequently doped with Cd vapor have presented solar conversion efficiencies approaching 3/4 of those exhibited by single-crystal CdSe electrodes in alkaline polysulfide PEC [84]. 

The performance in Zn-MnC>2 alkaline cells of electrolytic manganese dioxide produced in the presence of fluoride ions is compared with commercial EMD materials by I. Makyeyeva et al. The material produced in the presence of fluoride ions was shown to have superior utilization to the commercial EMD. The authors state that the improved... 

Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) The electrolyte in this fuel cell is concentrated (85 wt%) KOH in fuel cells operated at high temperature ( 250°C), or less concentrated (35-50 wt%) KOH for lower temperature (<120°C) operation. The electrolyte is retained in a matrix (usually asbestos), and a wide range of electrocatalysts can be used (e.g., Ni, Ag, metal oxides, spinels, and noble metals). The fuel supply is limited to non-reactive constituents except for hydrogen. CO is a poison, and CO2 will react with the KOH to form K2CO3, thus altering the electrolyte. Even the small amount of CO2 in air must be considered with the alkaline cell. 

A fuel cell produces electricity directly from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen, from a hydrogen-containing fuel, and oxygen from the air. Hydrogen is industrially produced by steam reformation of naphtha oil, methane and methanol. High-purity hydrogen has been mainly used as a fuel for low-temperature fuel cells such as polymer or alkaline electrolyte fuel cells (Lin and Rei, 2000). 

Fuel cells are typically classified by the type of electrolyte. Apart from certain specialty types, the five major types of fuel cells are alkaline fuel cell (AFC), polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC), phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). 

Nonwovens are widely utilized as separators for several types of batteries. Lightweight, wet laid nonwovens made from cellulose, poly (vinyl alcohol), and other fibers have achieved considerable success as separators for popular primary alkaline cells of various sizes. The key nonwoven attributes include consistently uniform basis weight, thickness, porosity and resistance to degradation by electrolytes. Nonwovens are also successfully employed as separators in NiCd s. 

For example, the electrolyte of alkali fuel cells is a solution of potassium hydroxide (an alkaline, which has a high pH). Solid oxide fuel cells use compoimds of metal oxides as electrolytes. (Fuel cell names are generally... 

Electrochemical processes occur all around us. We close this chapter by examining a few of these processes and relating them to the electrochemical principles previously introduced. Batteries are probably the most common example of electrochemical applications associated with everyday life. While batteries come in all sizes and shapes, all batteries contain the basic elements common to all electrochemical cells. What differentiates one battery from another are the materials used for cathode, anode, and electrolyte, and how these materials are arranged to make a battery. The standard dry cell battery or alkaline cell is shown in Figure 14.8. Batteries consist of... 

The alkaline cell has a longer operating life than a Leclanche cell, but, because only high-grade electrolytically manufactured Mn02 can be used, the cost of manufacture is higher. 

D-size cells on 2.25 O continuous test are reported. Cell (a) is a standard Leclanchd cell using a natural ore cell (b) is a HD Leclanche with electrolyte Mn02 cell (c) is a zinc chloride cell and cell (d) is an alkaline manganese primary unit. The differences at this current drain are striking the discharge capacities with a 0.9 V cut-off are in the ratio 0.12 0.24 0.55 1.00 for the four types. However, when less severe tests are considered, the disparities are less pronounced. Thus for the light industrial flashlight (LIF) test, the ratios are 0.40 0.61 0.96 1.00. 

The manufacture of secondary batteries based on aqueous electrolytes forms a major part of the world electrochemical industry. Of this sector, the lead-acid system (and in particular SLI power sources), as described in the last chapter, is by far the most important component, but secondary alkaline cells form a significant and distinct commercial market. They are more expensive, but are particularly suited for consumer products which have relatively low capacity requirements. They are also used where good low temperature characteristics, robustness and low maintenance are important, such as in aircraft applications. Until recently the secondary alkaline industry has been dominated by the cadmium-nickel oxide ( nickel-cadmium ) cell, but two new systems are making major inroads, and may eventually displace the cadmium-nickel oxide cell - at least in the sealed cell market. These are the so-called nickel-metal hydride cell and the rechargeable zinc-manganese dioxide cell. There are also a group of important but more specialized alkaline cell systems which are in use or are under further development for traction, submarine and other applications. 

Primary alkaline cells use sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide as tlie electrolyte. They can be made using a variety of chemistries and physical constructions. The alkaline cells of the 1990s are mostly of the limited electrolyte, dry cell type. Most primary alkaline cells are made sing zinc as the anode material a variety of cathode materials can be used. Primary alkaline cells are commonly divided into tW o classes, based on type of construction the larger, cylindrically shaped batteries, and the miniature, button-type cells. Cylindrical alkaline batteries are mainly produced using zinc-manganese dioxide chemistry, although some cylindrical zinc-mercury oxide cells are made. 

---