Secondary Cells

A cell is a powerhouse of electrical supply. It converts the stored energy into potential electrical energy. The generation of electrical current happens with the help of certain chemical reactions. A cell has several categories: primary cell, secondary cell, reserve cell, and fuel cell. 

A secondary cell is a type of cell that can be electrically recharged by passing current in the opposite direction of the circuit. One of the best examples of secondary cells is an alkaline battery. Energy in an alkaline battery is obtained from the interaction of zinc metal and manganese dioxide. These batteries live longer and have a greater energy density. It is called alkaline because of the electrolyte of potassium hydroxide that is used in it in place of acidic ammonium chloride. 

Chemistry of Secondary Cells

The electrolyte along with the other negative, as well as positive components, make up a secondary cell. These components are built of various materials. Furthermore, for the cell to work, the positive component must reduce the potential and the negative component must undergo oxidation. Hence, the aggregation of the potential of these two components produces the cell voltage.

The alkaline batteries consist of zinc as the negative electrode and manganese as the positive electrode. The electrolyte of potassium hydroxide remains alone during the reaction. Zinc and manganese dioxide are utilized during the release. It must be noted that zinc is an excellent means to store chemical energy. 

Uses of secondary cells

Some gadgets that use secondary cells include car starters, electronic mobile devices, trains, small aeroplanes, and various types of tools. Additionally, there is immense scope for the use of secondary cells like alkaline batteries in hybrid automobiles. 

Furthermore, this technology helps in saving time, money and is environment-friendly. Older secondary cells degenerate pretty quickly and hence require mandatory charging before first use. Power stations for batteries can use secondary cells and alkaline batteries for storing electric energy during low demand periods and for storing power generated from solar rays during the day for later use. This process can help drastically reduce capital costs.

Smaller secondary cells can power portable electronic gadgets, tools, and other applications.

Other examples of secondary cells

Below are other examples of Secondary Cells:

Aluminium-ion battery

These secondary cells are powered by a reaction between cathode and anode with other substances like air or graphite. 

Carbon battery

These secondary cells were the first ones to be used commercially. They are made up of a reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide, and their composition is very similar to alkaline batteries. 

Flow battery

This battery consists of one or more dissolved electro-active elements flowing through the electrochemical cell. In such batteries, the chemical energy is provided by two chemically-operated components dissolved in liquids. 

Lead-acid battery

This battery has a low energy density as compared to other secondary cells. Its negative electrode is made of spongy and porous lead, which facilitates the formation and dissolution of lead. The positive electrode consists of lead oxide. 

Glass battery

It is a solid-state battery that consists of glass electrolytes and lithium. The glass is highly conductive formed of lithium hydroxide and lithium chloride, it is additionally doped with barium. 

Lithium-ion battery

Lithium ions are commonly used in consumer electronics, hence, these are the most popular secondary cells in use currently. In these batteries, lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode via the electrolyte during the release.

Magnesium-ion battery

As the name suggests, these secondary cells utilise magnesium as the agent in the solution. Magnesium is heavier than lithium and is also safer compared to the latter. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of this type of secondary cell ensures a great future for it. 

Conclusion

Cells are an integral part of the technological world. They may be the smaller unit of a bigger operation but are of great importance when it comes to the day-to-day functioning of our lives. Rechargeable batteries or secondary cells are hence vital to the operation of our regular work and entertainment-related activities.

While there is an increasing need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly inventions, secondary cells such as alkaline batteries or magnesium-ion batteries come as saviours of science and society. Therefore, secondary cells will have a growing importance in the days to come, and one must accept the transformations that they can lead to, and acknowledge the path they may pave for further inventions in physics.