Zinc chloride batteries are steadily becoming a thing of the past. While they are more efficient than the carbon zinc battery, they pale in comparison to the popular alkaline battery. However, just because there are more innovative batteries on the market, it does not mean that the zinc chloride battery is useless. All batteries operate in the same way; they move electrons from one area to another, creating an electrical current.
Uses
Zinc chloride batteries still have a wide variety of useful applications.They come in several traditional sizes such as AA, AAA and can be used in many electronic devices from portable compact disk players to miniature flashlights.The function of any battery is to increase the portability of an electronic device by not having to plug it into an outlet.
Facts
Zinc chloride batteries operate well at low temperatures. Their optimal range is between 0 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Their storage life is about two years. Unlike some batteries on the market today, zinc chloride batteries are not recyclable.
Parts
All zinc chloride batteries contain a few necessary parts to serve their function. The critical parts are electrolyte, an anode and a cathode. Anodes and cathodes are known as electrodes. Anodes are the part of a battery that give up electrons. Cathodes are the part of the battery that absorb electrons. Electrolyte works as an insulator, separating the anode and cathode. The electrodes never touch each other. The electrolyte transfers current between them. In a zinc chloride battery the electrolyte is made up of zinc chloride.
How it Works
Chemical reactions take place within batteries. Electrons move from one part of a battery to another, producing an electric current which is used to power electronic devices. Electrolyte separates the anode from the cathode. Electrons gather at the anode, the negative end, and move to the cathode, the positive end, when a wire connects both ends of the battery on the outside.
Comparisons
While zinc chloride batteries do outperform some batteries, they cannot outperform others. Compared with carbon zinc batteries, zinc chloride batteries have a 50% higher capacity, but are outperformed by alkaline batteries, which can have a 500% to 700% higher capacity. Zinc chloride batteries are less likely to leak than carbon zinc batteries.
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