Battery acid counter balance for longevity

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to preserve the plastic film of an old Energiser battery while addressing the effects of alkaline leakage. Participants explore various approaches to cleaning and maintaining the integrity of the battery wrapper, including the use of pH testing and different washing techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using pH test strips to assess the alkalinity of the battery residue and proposes a lemon solution for cleaning.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the feasibility of preserving the battery without damaging it, emphasizing the importance of keeping it dry.
  • Clarification is provided regarding the term "DI water," with participants discussing its properties and relevance to the cleaning process.
  • Some participants propose washing the plastic foil with tap water and possibly deionized water to remove alkaline residues, while questioning the uniformity of the test area.
  • Concerns are raised about introducing additional compounds that may not be inert during the cleaning process.
  • There is a suggestion that professionals in conservation may have better methods for preserving such materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and safety of various cleaning methods, with no consensus on the best approach to preserve the battery wrapper.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that tap water and deionized water may not be perfectly neutral due to dissolved substances, which could affect the cleaning process.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the preservation of collectibles, antiques, or those dealing with similar battery-related issues may find this discussion relevant.

rovot
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
I collect branded goods and came across this old Energiser battery which had been left at one of those communal recycle collection points in our local supermarket, what a find, it's the old ones that I remember from my childhood and labelled as "Made in Britain" (my God, that must have been some time ago!).

Anyway, I managed to peel off the outer logo to discard the batter as it had been foaming and wanted to know how to treat it so that it wouldn't dissolve over time. I know to keep it in an air tight container and out of direct sunlight, but I'd like to counter the effect of the Alkaline from the broken battery.

I suppose the first step would be to test this, perhaps using this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-STRIPS-ALKALINE-pH-DUAL-TEST-STRIPS-KIT-URINE-SALIVA-pH-FOR-BODY-LEVELS-/271247951352?pt=UK_Health_HealthCare_RL&hash=item3f27a345f8

Then make a solution from ..lemon? and dilute it as necessary... apply it with a cotton bud and wash it with water and it should be okay, yes?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
I am not convinced you will be able to stop the process without destroying the battery, but it is not clear to me what you are trying to save.

The only way of slowing the reaction is to keep the battery in as dry place as possible.
 
Battery wrapper

Sorry, I meant the branding, the film on wrapping the battery. I have since disposed of the battery itself, but wanted to preserve the film:

http://postimg.org/image/z4ifanent/


Sorry for the misunderstanding, thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It is some kind of plastic foil? I would just wash it with a copious amounts of tap water, perhaps followed with a wash in DI water. Any other approach means you are introducing more compounds that are not necessarily inert.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Well I thought about using the pH paper to tell, but the part I test it on might not be uniform, so it could do more damage than good?

Not sure what DI water is please?
 
rovot said:
Well I thought about using the pH paper to tell, but the part I test it on might not be uniform, so it could do more damage than good?

Not sure what DI water is please?

It's also called 'deionized water', water which has all dissolved ions removed from it:

https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=1743
 
As SteamKing explained, DI means deionized. It is just one of many ways of naming water that was purified by any means.

You can use pH paper to test pH of tap water in which the foil is washed, to make sure bath is neutral after wash. To be exact, it won't be exactly neutral, as tap water rarely is. Even DI water won't be neutral, it will typically have pH somewhere around 5.6 due to dissolved carbon dioxide.
 
But for my purposes it should be fine?

I'm looking to archive the plastic cover.
 
rovot said:
But for my purposes it should be fine?

I can't think of anything substantially better. Could be those professionally involved in conservation and preservation of antiques/collectibles know better ways of dealing with such a foil. I am not one of them, but I am also reasonably sure water will remove base - and the foil itself was designed to be reasonably resistant, so some water can't be dangerous.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Thank for your help.