What kind of electrolyte does carbon zinc dry battery use? Ammonium chloride

What kind of electrolyte is used in carbon zinc dry battery? The role and analysis of ammonium chloride

among many battery types, carbon zinc dry battery (also known as ordinary zinc manganese battery) is widely used in daily life because of its low cost and convenient use. Many people do not understand the internal structure and working principle of this type of battery, especially about the choice and function of its electrolyte. This paper will analyze in detail which electrolyte is used in carbon zinc dry battery, focusing on the role and advantages of ammonium chloride in it.

1. Carbon zinc dry battery basic structure and working principle

Carbon zinc dry battery is a typical single primary battery, its main components include carbon rod (positive electrode), zinc cylinder (negative electrode), electrolyte and manganese dioxide paste. The carbon rod is used as a positive electrode material and is usually pressed from carbon powder and binder; the zinc cylinder is used as a negative electrode material and is in direct contact with the electrolyte. The electrolyte is the medium of ion transport inside the battery and plays a vital role in the performance and life of the battery.

During the working process, the zinc metal in the zinc cylinder oxidizes and releases electrons, while the manganese dioxide on the carbon rod reduces and accepts electrons. The role of the electrolyte is to connect the oxidation and reduction reactions through the movement of ions to form a closed circuit, thereby generating an electric current.

2. Carbon zinc dry battery electrolyte selection and ammonium chloride effect

The electrolyte of carbon-zinc dry batteries is usually in the form of a paste, mainly composed of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and water. Ammonium chloride is an inorganic salt with good water solubility and ionic conductivity. It is the most commonly used electrolyte component in carbon zinc dry batteries.

The role of ammonium chloride in the battery is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Conductivity: Ammonium chloride can be dissociate in water into NH4 and Cl * ions, which act as charge carriers inside the battery to ensure the smooth transmission of current. The movement of NH4 + ions helps to maintain the stable discharge performance of the battery.

• Corrosion resistance: Zinc metal is easily oxidized during battery discharge, and ammonium chloride can slow down this process through the movement of ions, thereby extending the service life of the battery.

• pH adjustment: ammonium chloride is slightly acidic, which can effectively prevent the corrosion reaction between the carbon rod and the zinc cylinder inside the battery, while maintaining the chemical stability inside the battery.

The viscosity and hygroscopicity of ammonium chloride also help to maintain the paste form of the electrolyte and prevent the battery from drying out during storage and use.

3. Ammonium chloride as electrolyte advantage

Compared to other possible electrolyte options, such as zinc chloride or sulfuric acid, ammonium chloride has significant advantages in carbon zinc dry batteries:

• Low cost: the production cost of ammonium chloride is low, and it is easy to prepare on a large scale, which makes the production cost of carbon zinc dry battery controlled.

• Chemical stability: Ammonium chloride exhibits good chemical stability under the working conditions of the battery, and will not have side reactions with the positive and negative materials of the battery, thereby ensuring the long-term stability of the battery.

• Environmental adaptability: The paste electrolyte form of ammonium chloride enables carbon zinc dry cells to be used under various environmental conditions, including high and low temperatures.

4. Carbon zinc dry battery electrolyte future development direction

Although ammonium chloride has performed well as an electrolyte in carbon-zinc dry batteries, with the advancement of technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, researchers are also exploring more efficient electrolyte formulations. For example, by adding other salts or adjusting the concentration of the electrolyte, the discharge performance and cycle life of the battery can be further optimized. The development of environmentally friendly electrolytes is also an important direction in the future.

5. Summary

Carbon zinc dry battery using ammonium chloride as electrolyte is a scientific and reasonable choice. Ammonium chloride can not only provide good conductivity, but also effectively prevent corrosion, adjust pH, and ensure the stability and long life of the battery. With the continuous advancement of technology, more advanced electrolyte formulations may appear in the future to further enhance the performance and application range of carbon-zinc dry batteries.

Through the analysis of this paper, it is not difficult to see that the importance of ammonium chloride in carbon-zinc dry batteries cannot be ignored. If you have more questions about the choice of battery technology or electrolyte, please continue to follow our follow-up articles.