Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline batteries are primary or non-rechargeable batteries. The positive pole (anode) of the battery contains zinc, while the negative pole (cathode) contains manganese dioxide. The electrolyte used in alkaline batteries is either potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Both are strong alkalis. If alkaline batteries are damaged or mishandled, the alkali electrolyte may leak out of the battery cell. Severe chemical burns can result if the electrolyte comes into contact with the skin or eyes.
Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries have a lead anode, a lead dioxide cathode, and an aqueous sulfuric acid electrolyte. The battery cell contains 60 to 75 percent lead and lead oxide, by weight, and the electrolyte contains between 28 and 51 percent sulfuric acid, by weight. The electrolyte is a strong oxidizing agent and can cause severe skin burns or irritation upon contact. If acid contacts eyes, it can cause severe damage and/or blindness. Contact lenses and smoking should be prohibited in areas where lead-acid batteries are stored or handled.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium battery types include lithium-manganese dioxide, lithium-sulfur dioxide, and lithium-thionyl chloride. The anode is composed of lithium and the cathode is composed of manganese dioxide (or sulfur dioxide, or thionyl chloride). The electrolyte of the lithium-manganese dioxide battery is composed of an organic solvent (propylene carbonate and 1,2 dimethoxyethane) solution of lithium perchlorate. In the case of lithium-sulfur dioxide, the electrolyte is also an organic solvent (acetonitrile) solution with lithium bromide. Lithium-thionyl chloride batteries have a non-aqueous thionyl chloride solution containing lithium aluminum chloride. Lithium-sulfur dioxide batteries contain pressurized sulfur dioxide gas and lithium-thionyl chloride batteries contain liquid thionyl chloride which vaporizes upon exposure to air, both of which are highly toxic.
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
Nickel-cadmium (ni-cad) batteries have a cadmium anode, nickel oxyhydroxide cathode, and an electrolyte of an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide. The battery cells typically contain 13-15 percent cadmium and 20-30 percent nickel, by weight. The electrolyte is a caustic solution and is capable of causing the same health effects as alkaline batteries addressed above
|
 |
 |
