Can a dry cell be made rechargeable?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of creating a rechargeable dry cell battery. Participants explore the chemistry involved in dry cells, particularly focusing on the reactions of zinc and the potential for alternative electrode materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that dry cells are not rechargeable due to zinc reacting with ammonia to form complex compounds, which limits the ability to recharge.
  • Another participant proposes an alternative approach using zinc and zinc oxide as electrodes in an acidic medium, questioning whether this configuration could allow for recharging.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the practicality and potential impact of the proposed idea, questioning why such a concept has not been pursued in the commercial battery industry.
  • Concerns are raised about the experimental aspects, including the need for safety precautions when conducting experiments related to battery chemistry.
  • A participant mentions existing rechargeable battery technologies, such as nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion cells, highlighting the challenges any new design would face in outperforming these established options.
  • There is a reiteration that dry cells, as traditionally understood, cannot be made rechargeable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility of creating a rechargeable dry cell, with some supporting the exploration of new ideas while others assert that it is not possible based on current understanding.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of existing dry cell technology and the need for any new design to demonstrate significant advantages over established rechargeable batteries. There are unresolved questions regarding the number of charging cycles and the performance of any proposed designs.

Doriangrey
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Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
TL;DR Summary: Dry cells are usually not rechargeable but I had a few ideas.

Basically dry cells are not rechargeable as zinc reacts with ammonia to form complex compounds which can't be revived. Consequently the quantity of reactants reduce thus hindering it from recharging.
So in a dry cell, Zinc and Manganese oxide/graphite are taken as electrodes. What if we took Zinc and Zinc oxide as electrodes? They could be kept in an acidic medium, and as both are of same degree of reactivity, could the cell now be recharged?
 
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What would be the point? You are essentially proposing a new kind of battery chemistry - why do you think this has been overlooked by what is a multi-billion dollar business?
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
What would be the point? You are essentially proposing a new kind of battery chemistry - why do you think this has been overlooked by what is a multi-billion dollar business?
I have to make an investigatory project and thought of constructing a cell which is rechargeable is all. So the only thing that matters to me is if it works or not
 
So what do you need from us? If you need to do the experiment for school, you should do the experiment.
 
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Doriangrey said:
I have to make an investigatory project and thought of constructing a cell which is rechargeable is all. So the only thing that matters to me is if it works or not
"Works?" Or works for how many/few charging cycles? Deep cycles? High current?
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
So what do you need from us? If you need to do the experiment for school, you should do the experiment.
In a fume hood, while wearing safety glasses and a thick apron, with a fire extinguisher and safety shower nearby...

1689005020693.png

https://nadisolab.com/product/laboratory-safety-shower/
 
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They all work very well. Each has its particular weakness. It would be important for any newcomer to outperform the existing technoloogy. By what margin does the proposed @chemisttree battery accomplish this? This is a theory question for the OP.
 
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Doriangrey said:
TL;DR Summary: Dry cells are usually not rechargeable but I had a few ideas.

Basically dry cells are not rechargeable as zinc reacts with ammonia to form complex compounds which can't be revived. Consequently the quantity of reactants reduce thus hindering it from recharging.
So in a dry cell, Zinc and Manganese oxide/graphite are taken as electrodes. What if we took Zinc and Zinc oxide as electrodes? They could be kept in an acidic medium, and as both are of same degree of reactivity, could the cell now be recharged?
No, dry cells cannot be made rechargeable.
 

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