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STORAGE CELL SUMMARY
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As the number of storage cell technologies makes them confusing, a summary table
comes in handy to help keep them straight.
CARBON-ZINC (LECLANCHE) CELL:
anode: zinc cup
cathode: manganese dioxide in graphite powder
electrolyte: ammonium chloride & zinc chloride in water
cell voltage: 1.5 volts
Non-rechargeable, poor storage density, but very cheap.
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ALKALINE CELL:
anode: nickel-plated steel cup
cathode: manganese dioxide in graphite powder
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide in water
cell voltage: 1.5 volts
(Generally) non-rechargeable, storage density about twice that of the
carbon-zinc cell, but several times more expensive.
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MERCURY BUTTON CELL:
anode: zinc
cathode: mercuric oxide
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide in paste
cell voltage: 1.35 volts
Non-rechargeable. A variation on this technology used cadmium instead of
zinc and provided a cell voltage of 0.91 volts. The first button cell
technology, now obsolete due to environmental concerns.
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ZINC-AIR BUTTON CELL:
anode: powdered zinc in gel
cathode: carbon disk exposed to air
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide layer
cell voltage: 1.65 volts
Non-rechargeable. Most popular current button cell technology, also some
applications in larger cell formats.
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SILVER OXIDE BUTTON CELL:
anode: powdered zinc in gel
cathode: silver grid pasted with silver oxide
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide layer
cell voltage: 1.55 volts
Nonrechargeable.
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LEAD-ACID CELL:
anode: lead
cathode: lead oxide
electrolyte: sulfuric acid
cell voltage: 2 volts
The standard large capacity battery technology. Can be recharged
hundreds of times and very cheap, but bulky and environmentally
noxious.
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NICKEL-IRON (EDISON) CELL:
anode: iron
cathode: nickel oxide
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide
cell voltage: 1.15 volts
Heavy-duty rechargeable unit, used in some industrial applications.
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NICKEL-CADMIUM (NICAD) CELL:
anode: cadmium
cathode: nickel oxide
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide
cell voltage: 1.2 volts
The original rechargeable cell for portable gear, now used mostly in
gear that needs high power levels on demand.
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NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) CELL:
anode: metal hydride
cathode: nickel oxide
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide solution in separator sheet
cell voltage: 1.2 volts
Greater capacity than nicads but more expensive.
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LITHIUM-MANGANESE DIOXIDE CELL:
anode: lithium foil
cathode: manganese dioxide
electrolyte: separator sheet impregnated with electrolytic salts
cell voltage: 3 volts
The most common non-rechargeable lithium cell.
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LITHIUM DISULFIDE CELL:
anode: lithium foil
cathode: iron disulfide with aluminum cathode contact
electrolyte: separator sheet impregnated with electrolytic salts
cell voltage: 1.5 volts
"Voltage compatible" lithium cell as direct replacement for carbon-zinc
or alkaline cells.
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LITHIUM-ION CELL:
anode: inert carbon sheet
cathode: manganese dioxide
electrolyte: electrolyte separator sheet with lithium ions
cell voltage: 3.6 volts
Rechargeable lithium cell.
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