Various Types of Batteries are a big part of our daily lives. They power our gadgets, keep things running during power cuts, and store energy from the sun and wind. From electric cars to medical devices, batteries help make life easier and more connected. As we discussed batteries in our previous post, we are going further ahead and discussing types of batteries this time.

Types of Batteries Based on Reversal of Chemical Reaction

Batteries can be broadly categorized based on whether their chemical reaction is reversible or not:

1. Primary Cells
2. Secondary Cells

Primary Cell

Primary cells are non-rechargeable batteries where the chemical reaction is irreversible. In a primary cell, the chemical reaction eats away one of the electrodes, usually the negative electrode. When this happens, the electrode must be replaced or the cell must be discarded.

Key Features of Primary Cells:

• Non-rechargeable.
• Cost-effective for single-use applications.
• Often cheaper to replace than repair.

Example: Dry Cell

The simplest form of a primary cell is the Dry Cell, which consists of a cylindrical zinc container, which forms the negative electrode. The electrolyte is in the form of a paste of ammonium chloride. A carbon rod surrounded by a paste of manganese dioxide act as the positive electrode. The batteries that we use today are identical to the dry cell. It has the following components:

1. Positive Terminal: Metal cap.
2. Negative Terminal: Cylindrical zinc container (also acts as the electrode).
3. Electrolyte: Paste of ammonium chloride.
4. Positive Electrode: Carbon rod surrounded by a paste of manganese dioxide.
5. Additional Parts: Pitch seal and a core of powdered manganese dioxide and carbon.

Dry cells are widely used in everyday devices like flashlights and remote controls due to their simplicity and compact size.

Secondary Cell

In a secondary cell, the electrodes and electrolyte are altered by the chemical action. A Secondary cell, or rechargeable battery, can be restored to its original state by reversing the chemical reaction through charging. When current is applied in the opposite direction, the electrodes and electrolyte are regenerated, enabling repeated use.

Key Features of Secondary Cells:

• Rechargeable, offering a long lifespan with multiple charge cycles.
• Economical and environmentally friendly due to reusability.
• Commonly used in high-demand applications like power backups and portable devices.

Example: Inverter Battery

Inverter batteries, a type of secondary cell, are widely used in households and industries for power storage and backup.

Comparison Between Primary and Secondary Types of Batteries:

The Secondary cell has one major advantage over Primary cell. As in the primary cell, when the chemical reaction between the electrode and the electrolyte goes on, the chemicals used in the cell are slowly spent until the cell can is no longer able to produce a current.

We then have to discard these cells as they are no longer chemically active. Whereas Secondary cells can be recharged and reused many times. Secondary cells are sometimes known as wet cells also.

Types of Secondary Cells

Various types of secondary cells are designed for specific applications. Some common examples include:

1. Lead-Acid Cell: Used in vehicles and backup power systems.
2. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Cell: Known for durability; used in power tools.
3. Nickel-Iron Cell: Long-lasting, used in renewable energy setups.
4. Silver-Zinc Cell: High energy density, used in military and aerospace.
5. Lithium-Based Cells:
   • Lithium-Chlorine: Specialty applications.
   • Lithium-Sulfur: Lightweight, emerging technology.
   • Lithium-Aluminum/Iron Sulfide: Industrial uses.
6. Sodium-Sulfur Cell: High-temperature applications.

Also Read:
Batteries of Future – Long Life, Full Charge in Seconds For Mobile Phone and Smart Gadgets