Battery: A Battery is a device consisting of one or more electrical cells that convert chemical energy into

electrical energy.

Types of Cell
S.No Types of Cathode Anode Electrolyte Reaction Uses Striking
. Cell Feature
1. Dry Cell carbon zinc The space Anode: power TV -In the
(graphite) container between Zn(s) → remotes, reaction at
rod the Zn2+ + 2e– clocks, and cathode,
surrounded electrodes Cathode: other devices manganese is
by is filled by MnO2 + reduced from
powdered a moist NH4 + + e– the + 4
manganese paste of → oxidation
dioxide ammonium MnO(OH) + state to the
and carbon chloride NH3 +3 state.
(NH4Cl) -Ammonia
and zinc produced in
chloride the reaction
(ZnCl2 ). forms a
complex
with Zn2+ to
give [Zn
(NH3)4 ]2+.
-The cell has
a potential of
nearly 1.5 V.
2. Mercury a paste of zinc – paste of Anode: low current The cell
Cell HgO and mercury KOH and Zn(Hg) + devices like potential is
carbon amalgam ZnO. 2OH–→ hearing aids, approx 1.35
ZnO(s) + watches, etc. V and
H2O + 2e– remains
Cathode: constant
HgO + H2O during its life
+ 2e–→ as the overall
 Hg(l) reaction does
+2OH– not involve
The overall any ion in
reaction is solution
represented whose
by Zn(Hg) concentration
+ HgO(s)→ can change
ZnO(s) + during its life
Hg(l) time.
3. Lead lead a grid of 38% Anode: used in On charging
Storage lead solution of Pb(s)+SO42– automobiles the battery
Battery packed sulphuric (aq) → and invertors the reaction
with lead acid PbSO4 (s) + is reversed
dioxide 2e– and PbSO4
(PbO2 ) Cathode: (s) on anode
PbO2 (s) + and cathode
SO4 2–(aq) + is converted
4H+ (aq) + into Pb and
2e– → PbO2 ,
PbSO4 (s) + respectively.
2H2O (l)
i.e., overall
cell reaction
consisting
of cathode
and anode
reactions is:
Pb(s) +
PbO2 (s) +
2H2SO4 (aq)
→ 2PbSO4
(s) +2H2O(l)
4. nickel- cadmium Nickel Sodium The overall portable -longer life
cadmium plate hydroxide reaction power tools, than the lead
cell or during photography storage cell
potassium discharge is: equipment, but more
hydroxide Cd (s) + flashlights, expensive to
2Ni(OH)3 emergency manufacture
(s) → CdO lighting -a separator
(s) + acts as an
2Ni(OH)2 insulator
(s) + H2O between the
(l ) anode plate
and cathode
plate
-On
disposing,
cadmium
causes
harmful
effects on the
environment.
Therefore,
these days
NiCd cells
 are not in
use.

FUEL CELLS :
A fuel cell can be defined as an electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from fuel via an
electrochemical reaction.Fuel Cells require a continuous input of fuel and an oxidizing agent (generally
oxygen) in order to sustain the reactions that generate the electricity. Therefore, these cells can constantly
generate electricity until the supply of fuel and oxygen is cut off.
A fuel cell is similar to electrochemical cells, which consists of a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte. In
these cells, the electrolyte enables the movement of the protons.
The working of this fuel cell involved the passing of hydrogen and oxygen into a concentrated solution of
sodium hydroxide via carbon electrodes. The cell reaction can be written as follows:
Cathode Reaction: O2 + 2H2O + 4e– → 4OH–
Anode Reaction: 2H2 + 4OH– → 4H2O + 4e–
Net Cell Reaction: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
However, the reaction rate of this electrochemical reaction is quite low. This issue is overcome with the help
of a catalyst such as platinum or palladium. In order to increase the effective surface area, the catalyst is
finely divided before being incorporated into the electrodes
The efficiency of the fuel cell described above in the generation of electricity generally approximates to 70%
whereas thermal power plants have an efficiency of 40%. This substantial difference in efficiency is because
the generation of electric current in a thermal power plant involves the conversion of water into steam, and
the usage of this steam to rotate a turbine. Fuel cells, however, offer a platform for the direct conversion of
chemical energy into electrical energy.