The Zinc-Carbon Battery

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The Zinc-Carbon Battery

• By Catherine Calvin

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The Zinc-Carbon Battery

• also called as LeClanche-Cell, Common Dry Cell
• produced by George Leclanché in 1866
• the first cell to contain only one low-corrosive
  fluid electrolyte with a solid cathode.

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The Zinc-Carbon Battery (p231)

• Characteristics in brief
• Voltage 1.5 1.75 V
• Service Life 110 min (continuous use)
• Shelf life 1 2 years (at room temperature)

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The Zinc-Carbon Battery

Paste made of NH4Cl, MnO2 and graphite
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• Carbon rod
• Inserted into the cathode
• Acts as a current collector
• Retain moisture
• Provides structural support
• Not take part in reaction

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• Cathode mix
• Composed with NH4Cl, MnO2 and graphite (a form
  of carbon)
• ammonium chloride(NH4Cl) acts as a fuel reserve
  for the cell during intermittent operation

The Cathode ½ Reaction 2NH4(aq) 2MnO2(s)
2e ? 2MnO(OH)(s) 2NH3(aq)
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• Anode-Zinc
• Most dry cells combine zinc with mercury (less
  than 1 part per million in modern cells)
• to significantly improve its resistance to
  corrosion over times.
• As the Zn is used up and Zn(NH3)42 accumulates
  around the anode, the battery wears out and the
  voltage decreases.

The Anode ½ Reaction Zn (s) 4NH3(aq) ?
Zn(NH3)42(aq) 2e
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The Zinc-Carbon Battery

• Disadvantages
• 1) After using for a long time, the chemicals
  would leak out of the battery, it is not good for
  the environmental protection
• 2) it cannot be recharged
• 3) lifetime is short because it continually
  reacts at a slow rate
• 4) current is small (it ceases to function if
  required to produce large currents in short time)
• 5) voltage is not stable
• 6) resistance is high

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The Zinc-Carbon Battery

• Advantages
• Cheap
• Convenient

Usage 1)flashlights 2)clock 3)toy 4)radio
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Bibliography

• Zinc-Carbon Batteries,
• http//micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/electr
  icity/batteries/zinccarbon.html
• 28th Jan. 2003, 28th Dec.2011
• Zinc/carbon batteries,
• http//www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/batteries/b
  atteries_zn_c.php
• no publish date, 28th Dec.2011
• Zinccarbon battery,
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZincE28093car
  bon_battery
• 10th Dec.2011, 28th Dec.2011
• Zinccarbon battery,
• http//wiki.dzsc.com/info/8462.html
• 2010, 28th Dec.2011