Mercury Cell

Have you ever wondered about what makes your watches work and show you time? What does the battery have that makes the watch work well and sound? If you look into the watches, the mercury cell keeps your watches and many more appliances on the go. These mercury cell applications have a prominent history in stores. If you go through the mercury cell notes, you will understand its meaning, components, and the basis for other kinds of cells. 

Let us begin by understanding what mercury cells are. We will also interpret mercury cell applications. 

What are mercury cells?

Mercury cells are a kind of galvanised cells. It is known by different names like button cells, Ruben-Mallory, mercuric oxide battery, and mercury battery. These mercury cells had a very pivotal role in World War II. The mercury cells were used for sourcing power to the small and anywhere carrying devices. These mercury cells were used in the form of button cells in various appliances.

Every cell has an anode and cathode. Mercury cells include different oxides as anode and cathode. Mercury cells may have mercuric oxide or its combination with manganese oxide as a cathode. The anode in a mercury cell is the zinc-mercury amalgam. The cathode in mercury cells performs a reduction reaction, where electrons gain. The anode performs the oxidation reaction, where there is a loss of electrons. 

The electrolyte in the mercury cells can be sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. These electrolytes make sure that of constant voltage during higher current flow. Amongst the two electrolytes, potassium hydroxide works well in the voltage consistency. The potassium hydroxide makes sure the current surges. 

The mercury cells are considered the base for other types of cells like nickel-cadmium cells (NiCd cell). Nickel-cadmium cell (NiCd cell) is a secondary cell used in smaller devices.  

Mercury cell applications

Mercury cell applications span various fields. Right from the small shops on the roadside to your home, you will find numerous mercury cell applications. Below are the points that emphasise mercury cell applications. 

• Mercury cells are used in hearing gadgets like headphones, AirPods, etc. 
• Mercury cells are used in watches, calculators, and more.
• For larger devices, there are also mercury cell applications. The mercury cells are used in larger equipment like a walkie-talkie. 

These are some of the mercury cell applications. Almost every portable device uses mercury cells as its major component. 

Advantages of mercury cells

There are so many ways mercury cells aid the working of machinery in our lives. There are several boons attached to the mercury cells. These are:

• Mercury cells have a working capacity of over ten years. This makes the use of mercury cells more helpful and reliable.
• Mercury cells are the best cells for steady and constant voltage. With the electrolyte in the mercury cells, specifically, potassium hydroxide, the variations in voltage are constant. 
• Mercury cells are cheaper and more affordable. Though they are primary cells like the silver oxide cells, mercury cells are relatively cheaper. 
• Some mercury cells use graphite. This helps to cut down the collection of droplet mercury that increases the efficiency of the cells. 

Disadvantages of mercury cells

The other side of the mercury cells applications has some bane too. This is why mercury cells have also been limited in production, and some countries have banned them. The disadvantages of mercury cells can be understood with the following points.

• Mercury cells pose greater harm to the environment. It includes toxic mercury, which is one of the gravest pollutants of the environment. 
• The process of generating and making mercury cells takes a lot of expense. Further, the right combination of the anode and cathode must be there for mercury cells to work efficiently. 
• The maintenance of mercury cells takes a handy amount of time. It requires materials, efforts and trained experience for its maintenance. 

Controversies and restriction

The ban on use and mercury cell applications began in 1991 when the European Directive advised it. The directive states no use of batteries with over 25 milligrams of mercury. The mercury cells are disapproved by the American National Standards Institute and International Electrotechnical Commission. 

The Battery Act was passed in 1996. The leading battery institute in the United States drew out mercury cells in heavy metals and machinery. This was done as heavy disposal of mercury was causing environmental destruction in severe ways. 

Conclusion

Mercury cells surround our day to day life. Though we might be unnoticeable, a mercury cell application is almost there in the smallest and biggest devices. If you look into the watches, the mercury cell keeps your watches and many more appliances on the go. 

The above information traces the history attached to mercury cells. The mercury cells first gained significance during the Second World War II. It also discusses points that emphasise mercury cell applications. Some points elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of mercury cells. 

Mercury cells also have certain bans and restrictions due to their components and the environmental hazards it causes. Several leading institutions have made it mandatory for no use of mercury cells. This is because the making charge of these cells requires more than 25 milligrams of mercury. 

The extrapolation of the manufacturing of these mercury cells releases toxic emissions in the environment. Further, the mercury cell notes also include the practical usage of the mercury cells. The mercury cells have revolutionised using devices and pushed us towards environmental concerns.