Tahmid Shahriyar

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THE ALKALINE CELL

9.2-4.3.3 GATHER AND PRE SENT INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND CH EMISTRY OF A DRY CELL OR LEA D-ACID CELL AND EVALUATE IT IN COMPARISON TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: - BUTTON CELL - FUEL CELL - VANADIUM REDOX CELL - LITHIUM CELL - LIQUID JUNCTION PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE (EG THE GRATZEL CELL) IN TERMS OF: - CHEMISTRY - COST AND PRACTICALIT Y - IMPACT ON SOCIETY - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STRUCTURE AND CHEMISTRY The alkaline cell is similar in structure to the widely used Leclanch dry cell. It generally consists of a zinc powder anode and a brass rod which serves as the inert cathode allowing the electrons to flow through to the aqueous solution paste of manganese dioxide and potassium hydroxide. The manganese dioxide is the oxidant, while potassium hydroxide serves as the electrolyte.

Due to the alkaline nature of potassium hydroxide, the anode reaction which actually occursis:

Zn(s) + 2OH(aq)

ZnO(s) + H2O(l ) + 2e

While the cathode reaction which actually occurs is:

MnO2(s) + 2H2O(l) + e

Mn(OH)3(s) + OH(aq)

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COMPARISON Cell alkaline cell

Anode Reaction

Cathode Reaction

hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell silver oxide cell (button) vanadium redox cell lithium-manganese dioxide cell (lithium) Gratzel cell (liquid junction photovoltaic)

Zn(s) + 2OH(aq) ZnO(s) + H2O(l ) + 2e H2(g) + 2OH(aq) 2H2O(l) + 2e Zn(s) + 2OH(aq) ZnO(s) + H2O(l ) + 2e V3+(aq) + eV2+(aq) Li(s) Li+(soln) + e

MnO2(s) + 2H2O(l) + e Mn(OH)3(s) + OH(aq) O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e 4OH(aq) Ag2O(s) + H2O(l) + 2e 2Ag(s) + 2OH(aq) VO2+(aq) + 2H+(aq) + eVO2+(aq) + eMnO2(s) + Li+(soln) + e LiMnO 2(s) I2(aq) + 2e 2I-(aq)

Electrolyte potassium hydroxide

potassium hydroxide potassium hydroxide

vanadium sulphate lithium salt (an organic, non-aqueous solvent) solution of iodine and potassium iodide

TiO2(s) + light TiO2+(s) + e 2TiO2+(s) + 2I(aq) 2TiO 2(s) + I2(aq)

In terms of chemistry, the alkaline cell is quite similar to the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and silver oxide button cell in that they all contain a potassium hydroxide cell. The alkaline cell is thus favourable because of its portability. However, the lithium-manganese dioxide cell produces a much higher current. The problemwith lithium is that it is so reactive it cannot come into contact with water. The vanadium redox cell is a specialised cell which can store a lot of electricity (in the order of megajoules compared to kilojoules). However, it is not as portable and vanadium is a less obtainable substance. Similarly, the Gratzel cell is a specialised cell which can only be used under certain conditions (in exposure to light). The substances that are required are not as readily available as the substances required for an alkaline cell. Therefore, the chemistry involved in the alkaline cell is relatively simplistic and is beneficial in terms of its portability and the generality of its use. COST AND PRACTICALIT Y Compared to the Leclanch cell, the alkaline cell is slightly more expensive. However, it produces a higher current as a trade-off. Generally, the alkaline cell is quite practical because it is so portable and its materials are easily obtained relative to other more specialised cells. COMPARISON Cell hydrogen-oxygen fuel

Advantages compared to alkaline cell can be used indefinitely if fuel is

Disadvantages compared to alkaline cell finding catalytic electrodes which

Tahmid Shahriyar cell readily supplied

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Page 3 of 4 will provide sufficiently fast electrode reactions for the cells to produce higher currents is difficult higher cost

silver oxide cell (button)

vanadium redox cell

lithium-manganese dioxide cell (lithium) Gratzel cell (liquid junction photovoltaic)

very small, can be used in smaller devices where alkaline cells cannot be used; also produces a higher voltage can be recharged indefinitely; produces a readily available source of energy produces a much higher voltage and longer lasting energy can be used indefinitely with a readily available source (light)

Initial setting up cost is astronomic; since it is specialised, its use is more limited a much higher cost; more hazardous if damaged new technology so less available and more expensive

Compared to the cells listed above, alkaline cells offer the best value for money i.e. they offer a higher voltage per dollar cost. IMPACT ON SOCIETY The development of the alkaline cell was the development of a cell that was relatively small, robust and practical to use. However, what marked its impact on society was the combination of all this with a higher voltage output. Because of the alkaline cell, portable devices that required a higher amount of energy began to be developed. Devices such as CD players and portable gaming devices would not have been developed without the development of the alkaline cell. COMPARISON Cell alkaline cell hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell

silver oxide cell (button) vanadium redox cell

lithium-manganese dioxide cell (lithium) Gratzel cell (liquid junction photovoltaic)

Impact on society Allowed the development of more advanced portable devices requiring higher voltage Still not in widespread used because of the issue of finding suitable catalytic electrodes however, since they provide direct conversion to energy (80-100%),they have sparked the development of more complex devices requiring a continuous portable supply of energy Allowed the development of small devices saving on raw materials and allowing the use of more sophisticated technology designs Potential to replace fossil fuel power stations and fuel vehicles as a more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient energy source however it is yet to reach widespread success Allowed the development of devices requiring extremely lasting energy Another green potential replacement encouraging the use of a more renewable source of energy (light) contributing to the widespread usage of solar-powered devices

The alkaline cell is equivalent to the silver oxide button cell and lithium cell because their impact has already occurred. However, the alkaline cell has had the greatest impact because it is the most widely used.

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Compared to the Leclanch cell;the potassium hydroxide difference in alkaline cells accounts for a relatively more negative environmental impact. Where the ammonium chloride electrolyte in the Leclanch cell is quite harmless, the potassium hydroxide electrolyte is very basic it is thus caustic, corrosive and irritates skin. Nevertheless, the chemicals involved are non-toxic and recyclable environmental harm can be avoided. COMPARISON Cell alkaline cell hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell

Environmental impact potassium hydroxide is caustic and corrosive; materials do not decompose and can pollute potassium hydroxide is caustic and corrosive; electrodes used have to be inert and thus are not biodegradable becoming pollutants if not properly disposed of potassium hydroxide is caustic and corrosive; materials do not decompose and can pollute all vanadium compounds are toxic; other than that, has the potential of replacing fossil fuels and petrol-fuelled cars all big pollutants and non-renewable sources lithium-manganese dioxide cells are flammable and explosive when it leaks; they discharge rapidly when short-circuited low in fact beneficial as it uses a renewable source of energy and titanium dioxide is a mineral found in sand

Compared to alkaline cell similar

silver oxide cell (button) vanadium redox cell lithiummanganese dioxide cell (lithium) Gratzel cell (liquid junction photovoltaic)

similar less

greater

less

In terms of environmental impact, the alkaline cell fares normally compared to the above cells. Although only recycling is required, and although it does contain toxic chemicals (so it is better than the lithium cell), there are environmentally-friendlier options available. BIBLIOGRAPHY "Alkaline Battery."Wikipedia.Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_cell>. Brain, Marshall, and Charles W. Bryant."HowStuffWorks "Rechargeable Batteries"" Howstuffworks "Electronics" Web. 20 Nov. 2010. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/battery4.htm>. "Electrochemical Methods."NSW HSC Online.Charles Sturt University.Web. 21 Nov. 2010. <http://www.hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem924/924net.html>. "Leclanch Cell." Wikipedia.Web. 21 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leclanch_cell>. Marsden, G. R. "Unit 5 Materials Chemistry." Chemistry In The Context Of Culled Dotpoints. Print. Smith, Roland. "Electrochemistry."Conquering Chemistry. 4th ed. Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2004. Print.