Battery Technology Guess what

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What are the
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 Battery technology
Basic concepts including characteristics of anode, cathode,
electrolyte and separator.

Battery characteristics. Classification of batteries–primary,

secondary and reserve batteries.

State of the art Batteries-Construction working and applications of

Zn-air, Lead acid battery, Nickel-Metal hydride and Lithium ion
batteries.

Introduction to fuel cells, types of fuel cells.

Construction, working and application of Methanol-Oxygen fuel
cell.
Battery: Two or more electrochemical cells connected in series or parallel constitute a battery
Principle components of battery

• Anode: An electrode at the surface of which oxidation takes place. It gives out
electrons to the external circuit by undergoing oxidation. It is a negative
electrode.

• Cathode: An electrode at the surface of which reduction takes place. It accepts

electrons from the external circuit by undergoing reduction. It is a positive
What is the role of
electrolyte and electrode.
separator?
• Electrolyte: It is the material which provides ionic conductivity between the
Why anode and positive and negative electrodes of the cell. Electrolyte must have high ionic
cathode carries
negative and positive conductivity.
charges
• Separator: It is a physical barrier between the anode and the cathode. separators
 Requisites of the battery components
Anode: It should have Cathode: It should have

• Low reduction potential i.e., it should be easily • High reduction potential i.e., it should be easily reduced

oxidized • It should have good conductivity and good stability

• It should have good conductivity and good stability • Ease of fabrications and low cost.

• Ease of fabrications and low cost. • Resistance to the electrolyte

Electrolyte Separator material

• It should possess good ionic conductivity but poor • It should be permeable to the passage of ions from
electrical conductivity to prevent internal short anodic to cathodic compartments and vice versa
circuiting
• It should have the ability to prevent mixing of
• It should be resistance to the electrode material
active materials in the two compartments
• Safe to handle.
• It should possess high ionic conductivity but
should be electronically insulator.
 Characteristics of a Battery
1. Voltage
The voltage of a battery mainly depends on EMF of the cells
(a)The emf of the cell depends on the free energy changes in the overall cell reaction,
ΔG = -nEF
Higher the negative value of ΔG, higher is the EMF of the cell and vice-versa
(b) EMF of a cell is given by the Nernst Equation •K is the equilibrium constant
•Kc = Product/Reactant = [M]n/[M]n+
•R is the Gas constant =8 .314J/K mole
•T is the temperature on the Kelvin
scale.
•n = number of mole of electron involv
The EMF of the cell and the voltage available from the battery is dependent on standard electrode
potential difference between the cathode and anode, temperature and the extent of the cell
reaction.
Eᵒcell is higher when the difference in standard reduction potential of the electrode is greater.
(c) EMF of cell depends on internal resistance. If the electron transfer reactions are rapid, internal
resistance of the cell decreases and EMF increases.
2. Current
• Current is a measure of the rate at which the battery is discharging.
• It is expressed in A (Amp).
• Higher the rate of spontaneous reaction, higher is the current.
• Higher the surface area of the electrodes, higher is the rate of reaction.

3. Capacity:
• The total amount of electricity that is produced from a battery before its failure is called
capacity of the battery.
• It is expressed in Ah (ampere hours)
• It is given by the Faraday’s relation w = weight of active material at one of the electrodes
n = number of electrons involved in discharge
reaction
F = 96500 C/mol, and
M = molar mass.
• The amount of the active materials actually consumed at anode during discharge determines
the capacity of the battery. Therefore higher the capacity, higher is the efficiency of the
battery.
4. Energy density
Amount of electrical energy stored per unit weight of active materials of the battery is known as
energy density

• If a battery can be discharged at a current i and at an average voltage Ecell for a period of time
t, then the energy density is given by (i.E.t)/W, where W is the weight of the battery.
• It is expressed in Wh/kg (watt hour per kg).

5. Power density
Energy produced per unit weight of active materials of the battery is called power density.
Thus, it is a measure of the power generated in a cell per unit weight of the battery. Higher the
power density, higher efficiency of the battery.
I = current
Ecell = EMF generated in the cell
W= weight of the cell
Lesser the weight of the cell, higher would be the power density.
6. Energy efficiency
The energy efficiency of a rechargeable battery is given by

7. Cycle life
The total number of discharge and recharge cycles that are possible before the failure of the
battery.
A good battery must have high cycle life. Higher the cycle life, better is the battery.

8. Shelf life
The measure of storage capacity of a battery without self-discharge is called shelf life of a
battery.
A good battery must have long shelf life. That is better is the shelf life, better is the battery
 Operation of the battery

Battery involves two operations

(i) Discharge (delivering power) - This is the operation of the cell when
current flows spontaneously from the battery into an external circuit.
(ii)Recharge (Applicable only for secondary battery)
 Classification of Battery
1. Primary Battery: Batteries where chemical reactions are
completely irreversible.
Example: Zn-MnO2 Battery, Metal-air Battery, Li-MnO2 Battery,
etc.,

2. Secondary Batteries: Electrochemical reactions are completely

reversible.
Example: Lead-acid battery, Lithium ion battery, Ni-Cd battery,
etc.,

3. Reserve Battery: Batteries where one of the active component

is separated with the battery and the separated component is
added just before the use.
Example: Zn-Ag2O battery, Mg-water battery, etc.,

Reserve Battery
 Lead(Pb)-Acid battery

Anode: Spongy Lead

Cathode: PbO2
Electrolyte: Dilute H2SO4

D PbSO + H+ + 2e−
At anode: Pb(s) + HSO4−(aq) → 4(s) (aq)
C D
At Cathode: PbO2(s) + HSO4-(aq) + 3H+(aq) + 2e− → PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
D C
Pb(s) + PbO2(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) → 2PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l) Eocell= -2.05V
C
Lead acid batteries can be found in a wide variety of
applications including small scale power storage such as UPS
systems, starting lighting and ignition power sources for
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automobiles, along with large, grid-scale power systems.
 Nickel-Cadmium Battery
Anode: Cadmium
Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) Cathode: NiOOH
Electrolyte: KOH
 Durable, good cold temperature performance
 Cadmium is toxic, prompted regulatory restriction
Aircraft main battery, UPS in cold environments, vessels, vehicles
needing high cycle life, power tools (not in consumer products)

Anodic reaction
D
Cd + 2OH − → Cd(OH)2 + 2e−
c
C
Cathodic reaction
D
2NiO(OH) + 2H2O + 2e− → 2Ni(OH)2 + 2OH−
C
D
2NiO(OH) + Cd + 2H2O → 2Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2
C

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 Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH)

Anode: Metal hydride

(AB 5/AB2 (LaNi5/TiZr2
alloy)
Cathode: NiO(OH)
Electrolyte: KOH
Separator: Polypyrrole

D
Reaction at Anode MH +OH- ⇌ M + H2O + e
C D
1.2 V
Cathodic reaction NiOOH+ H2O + e ⇌ Ni(OH)2 + OH-
C
D
MH + NiO(OH) ⇌ Ni(OH)2 + M
C
 40% higher specific energy than Ni-Cd, mild toxicity
 High capacity
 Long cycle life
 High energy density
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Applications: Consumer products, hybrid vehicles, cell phones
 Zinc-Air battery

• Primary battery Anode: Zinc

Cathode: Porous
Cell Reactions carbon/O2
At Anode: Zn + 2OH- → ZnO + H2O + 2e Electrolyte: 30% KOH
At Cathode: 1/2O2 + H2O + 2e → 2OH- Separator: Polyethlene
Zn + ½ O2 → ZnO
Advantages
High capacity, High energy density, High power density, Low cost
Disadvantages
• Low shelf life (due to corrosion of Zn in basic medium)
• H2 evolution occurs
• Pure O2 is required (small amount of carbon dioxide clogs the
pores by forming carbonate)
Applications
Hearing aids, pagers, railway and military applications Cell voltage: 1.45 V
 Relationship between Power and Energy

Power

Energy
Specific energy: Capacity a battery can hold (Wh/kg)
Specific power: Ability to deliver power (W/kg)

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 Lithium Batteries

Lithium Lithium ion

(metallic) (intercalated lithium
compound)

Non-rechargeable Rechargeable
- Heart pace makers - Mobile phones
- Defense - Laptops
- Instrumentation - Power tools
- Oil drilling - Electric powertrains
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 Li-ion Battery

Anode: Graphite
Cathode: LiCoO2
Electrolyte: LiPF6
Separator: polyethylene

 Available since 1991, replaces

NiCd and NiMH.
 Advantages: Lighter, longer
runtimes, High cell voltage,
Low self discharge
 Applications: Cell phones,
Laptops, Electric vehicles 17
 Battery Formats

Cylindrical cell Button cell Prismatic cell

Pouch cell
Battery / Lead(Pb)-Acid Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) Nickel-Cadmium Zinc-Air Li-ion
Components
Metal hydride (AB5/AB2 Cadmium Zinc Graphite
Anode Spongy Lead (Pb)
(LaNi5/TiZr2 alloy)
PbO2 LiCoO2
Cathode NiO(OH) NiO(OH) Porous carbon/O2
Dilute H2SO4 KOH KOH 30% KOH LiPF6
Electrolyte
Ultra high molecular Polyethlene Polyethylene
Separator weight polyethylene Polypyrrole Polyamide
(UHMWPE)
A homogeneous solid-state
Electrochemical Electrochemical reaction of
Mechanism Acts as a galvanic cell charge/discharge reactions mechanism that involves the Zn and oxygen. Intercalation
diffusion of protons
40% higher specific energy
Lighter, longer
low cost, than Ni-Cd, mild toxicity Durable, good cold temperature High capacity, High energy runtimes, High cell
rechargeable, long High capacity density, High power density,
Advantages life cycle, operating Long cycle life
performance
Low cost
voltage, Low self
discharge
temperatures. High energy density

small scale power

storage such as UPS
systems, starting Aircraft main battery, UPS in cold Hearing aids, pagers, railway Cell phones,
lighting and ignition Consumer products, hybrid environments, vessels, vehicles and military applications
Applications power sources for vehicles, cell phones needing high cycle life, power Laptops, Electric
automobiles, along tools (not in consumer products) vehicles
with large, grid-scale
power systems
Additional: Reactions, Diagram, Construction & Working
 Fuel Cells
Fuel cell are galvanic cells where chemical energy of fuel (hydrogen
or methanol) and oxygen as oxidant converted into electricity.
Fuel cell Representation:
Fuel | Anode | Electrolyte | Cathode | Oxidant
Difference between fuel cell and battery
Batteries Fuel Cells
Batteries are energy storage Fuel cells energy conversion
devices. devices.
Secondary batteries are Fuel cells are not rechargeable.
Rechargeable.
The reactant and products are There is continuous supply of
integral parts of batteries. fuel, oxidant and products in
and out of cells.
H2-O2 fuel cell
Electrodes: Porous carbon impregnated with Pt
on anode and Ag2O on cathode
Fuel: H2
Cell voltage: 1.23 V
Oxidant: O2
Electrolyte: 40% KOH Operating temperature: 80 °C to evaporate the H2O
produced

At anode: 2H2 4H+ + 4e

At Cathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e 2H2O

2H2 + O2 2H2O

Applications: Used in space vehicles,

submarines and automobiles
 Preference for methanol
Methanol-O2 fuel cell It has low carbon content
Electrodes: Porous nickel impregnated High solubility in aqueous electrolyte
with Pt/Pd on anode and Ag on cathode Readily oxidizable –OH group
Applications
• Powering large vehicles (at least directly), but ideal for
Fuel: Methanol
smaller vehicles such as forklifts and consumer goods
Oxidant: Oxygen
such as mobile phones, digital cameras or laptops.
Electrolyte: H2SO4
• Military applications: Because of low noise and thermal
signatures and no toxic effluent. power for battery
chargers, and autonomous power for test and training
instrumentation.

At Anode (Oxidation): CH3OH + H2O → CO2 + 6H+ + 6e

At cathode (Reduction) : 3/2O2 + 6H+ + 6e → 3H2O

CH3OH + 3/2O2 → 3H2O + CO2

Cell voltage: 1.186 V