Salt Battery: Choosing anode/cathode

  • Thread starter Thread starter CognitiveNet
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Battery Salt
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and materials for a salt battery, specifically focusing on the choice of anode and cathode materials. Participants explore the implications of using different metals, such as Tungsten, in place of traditional options like Zinc and Copper, and the potential effects on ion release and power output.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests replacing Zinc with Tungsten due to its higher ion charge of 6+, questioning whether this would increase ion release and power output.
  • Another participant inquires about the concept of standard reduction potential and its relevance to the discussion.
  • A follow-up post reiterates the question about standard reduction potential and connects it to the idea of corrosion as a factor in ion release.
  • A different participant critiques the lack of foundational knowledge regarding redox reactions, emphasizing that understanding standard potentials and reactivity series is crucial for battery design.
  • There is a suggestion that general chemistry resources could provide necessary background on these topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding fundamental concepts in electrochemistry, leading to a lack of consensus on how to proceed with the discussion about battery materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants have varying degrees of familiarity with key concepts such as standard reduction potential and redox reactions, which may limit the depth of the discussion. There is also an emphasis on the importance of foundational chemistry knowledge for meaningful contributions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in battery technology, electrochemistry, and materials science may find this discussion relevant, particularly those looking to explore alternative materials for energy storage solutions.

CognitiveNet
Messages
50
Reaction score
1
I want to build a salt battery, and I've seen them use Zinc and Copper.
But what if I replaced Zinc with Tungsten, since it has an ion charge of 6+.
Would that increase the amount of ions, released into the water, and increase the power output? Do you have any suggestions for more potent materials than zinc and copper?
Any other material I could use to dissolve ions from a metal into water? I don't mean an acid.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Do you know what a standard reduction potential is?
 
Borek said:
Do you know what a standard reduction potential is?

I don't. Would the key for adding more/most ions to water be, which material corrode the most?
 
Sorry, but if you don't know basics, further discussion is a moot, as you will have no idea what we are talking about. Number of electrons exchanged in redox reaction is only part of things that have to be taken into account when designing a battery.

I guess any general chemistry book with a chapter on redox reactions, standard potentials and Nernst equation is what you need. These things are often discussed also in analytical chemistry books or in physical chemistry books.

Or at least read about reactivity series and electrochemical series.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
43
Views
22K