Batteries became a habitual part of the life of people long ago. They are used practically everywhere where the inexpensive and reliable source of electric energy is required – in hours, children's toys, pacemakers and mobile phones.
Despite sometimes essential external distinctions, the design of all batteries is approximately identical. Distinctions consist in the chemicals which are a part of an element. Electric current in batteries is developed by means of the introduction in reaction of these chemicals.
Standard design of batteries
The negative pole of the battery of food serves at the same time and its case. It is made in the form of a glass which is filled with chemical reactants. Among themselves solid chemicals are divided by a cardboard cover which does not allow these substances to mix up, but at the same time a pronitsayema for liquid electrolyte which allows to go chemical reaction.
In the case the coal or graphite core which is a positive electrode of the battery is inserted. The core is also separated by laying separator which does not allow to neutralize a charge. All batteries are divided into groups on type of chemical filler. The detailed design of the standard battery is shown in the drawing.
Manganese-zinc with salt electrolyte
Salt elements dominated in the market of batteries until recently. The anode is zinc of which the case of an element, active agent of the cathode – manganese dioxide is made. As electrolyte solution of chloride of ammonium or chloride of zinc is used. The advantage of these batteries – low cost, but it does not compensate the low specific capacity, sensitivity to loading and low temperatures. Therefore they were almost completely forced out alkaline or as they are called still – alcaline batteries.
Manganese-zinc with alkaline electrolyte
Alkaline, or alcaline, elements contain in the structure zinc powder as the anode and manganese dioxide as the cathode. The KON gel solution is used as electrolyte. The structure of batteries also included corrosion inhibitors. Alkaline elements have much higher capacity, maintain big loading and are not sensitive to temperature. Therefore despite high cost practically forced out salt batteries.
Silver-zinc elements
As the cathode powdery zinc is also applied, and for the anode silver oxides are used. As electrolyte GAME or NaOH solution, gel or matrix is applied. These batteries have much higher load characteristics, than the previous elements, but are much more expensive. Are issued in the form of disks and are applied in the watch, hearing aids, cameras and in some other devices.