Can cell electrodes in series share the same current collector?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using a shared current collector for positive and negative electrodes in battery cells arranged in series. Participants explore the implications of this design choice in the context of creating a 12V battery without individual current collectors for each cell.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether sharing a current collector between positive and negative electrodes could lead to short-circuiting the cells.
  • Another participant describes a design where the current collector is a common aluminum sheet coated in carbon, with the negative and positive electrodes attached on either side.
  • A participant clarifies the ambiguity around the term "electrodes sharing current collector," suggesting that connecting electrodes via a common sheet of metal is functionally similar to using external wiring.
  • There is mention of a membrane-free design that addresses the dissolution of zinc dendrites in the context of the battery's operation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of sharing a current collector, with some suggesting it may lead to issues like short-circuiting, while others assert that it is a valid approach for connecting cells in series. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the safety and effectiveness of this design.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully explore the potential limitations or assumptions related to the shared current collector design, such as the effects of corrosion or the specific materials used.

Rich76
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Sorry if the answer is obvious, but I was wondering if positive and negative electrodes (cells in series) can share the same current collector as depicted below? I want to create a 12V battery with cells inline in series without creating cells with individual current collectors. Note that the cell chambers are sealed.

battery.png
 
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Perhaps I don't understand the idea, but it sounds like an attempt at short circuiting cells.
 
I see a simple set of batteries in series
 
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Borek said:
Perhaps I don't understand the idea, but it sounds like an attempt at short circuiting cells.
It's designed to be membrane free. The corrosive bromine at the surface of the positive carbon felt dissolves zinc dendrites forming from the negative electrode back into the electrolyte faster than they can build, given the appropriate charge current.
 
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BvU said:
I see a simple set of batteries in series

Yes. The cells share the same aluminium current collector (coated in carbon). Attached on one side of the current collector is the negative carbon cloth, and attached on the other side is the positive carbon felt. Is that okay?
 
I forgot to mention that the battery case is plastic (HDPE).
 
OK, "electrodes sharing current collector" was a bit ambiguous, I wasn't sure if you mean "connecting all current collectors together" or "current collector attached to anode on one side and cathode on the other side".

In the latter case these are just - like BvU wrote - batteries in series. You have to connect electrodes, whether you do it with an external wire or by using common sheet of metal doesn't matter.
 
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Thank you.
 

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