Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network

Chemistry Connections

The Chemistry of Batteries

Episode #8  

Welcome to Chemistry Connections, our names are Brando and Kai and I am your host for episode #8 called the chemistry of batteries?  Today we will be discussing what are batteries, the different types of batteries, and the chemistry behind them. 

Segment 1: Introduction to Batteries

1. History of Batteries
2. Benjamin Franklin and his charged glass plates
3. Voltaic Pile
4. To cell battery technology

Segment 2: The Chemistry Behind BATTERIES

1. Explain the two cell battery system
2. General description of what a battery is (cells, cathode where electrons are produced, anode where electrons are gained, redox reaction that takes place, one half reaction in one cell, a different half reaction in another cell)
3. Commercial types:
4. Alkaline batteries
5. Are commonly used in household items like remote controls and flashlights, rely on the chemical reaction between zinc (Zn) and manganese dioxide (MnO₂).
6. Anode reaction: ZnZn2++2e-
7. Cathode reaction: 2MnO+2H2O+2e-2MnO(OH)+2OH-
8. Overall reaction: Zn+2MnO+2H2O+2e-Zn2++2e-
9. Lithium-Ion batteries
10. Are prevalent in portable electronics and electric vehicles due to their high energy density. The fundamental reactions involve lithium ions (Li⁺) moving between the anode and cathode through an electrolyte.
11. Anode reaction: LiC66C+Li++e-
12. Cathode reaction: CoO2+Li++e-LiCoO2
13. Overall reaction: LiC6+Li+CoO26C+LiCoO2
14. Lead-Acid batteries
15. Are commonly used in automotive applications due to their ability to deliver high surge currents. The reactions involve lead (Pb), lead dioxide (PbO₂), and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
16. Anode reaction: Pb+SO4-2PbSO4+2H2O
17. Cathode reaction: PbO2+4H++SO4-2+2e-PbSO4+2H2O
18. Overall reaction: Pb+PbO2+2H2SO42PbSO4+2H2O
19. Experimental/advanced types:
20. Solid-State Batteries
21. Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
22. Graphene and Silicon Anode Batteries

Segment 3: Personal Connections

1. We like robotics
2. In FRC robotics, we use Lead acid batteries, which are big and bulky because they hold a lot of charge, but they are quite heavy
3. In Robocup, a tournament we are participating in this year, we used lithium polymer batteries, which is LiPo for short. You see this all around in RC cars, and recreational vehicles

Thank you for listening to this episode of Chemistry Connections.   For more student-ran podcasts and digital content, make sure that you visit www.hvspn.com. 

Sources:

List your sources here.  Make sure they are linked.  Wikipedia cannot count for more than 50% of your sources.

chem.libretexts

Wikipedia

Music Credits

Warm Nights by @LakeyInspired 

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