Calculated and Measured Battery Voltages - Thermodynamics Aids in Identifying Electrochemical Reactions.
Abstract
Both the open and closed circuit voltages of a battery depend on the thermodynamic conditions inside the cell. When the actual electrochemical reaction of a particular battery is unknown, thermodynamic calculations can help to identify it. Using thermodynamics data, the open circuit voltages for alternatively electrochemical reactions can be calculated. When accurate data are available, the calculated voltage for the correct electrochemical reaction will agree to within millivolts with the measured value. For the Cl2-Li molten salt system, the calculated and measured values are both 3.612V at 2773K. For alkaline zinc batteries, the data indicate that Zn0 is the discharge product at the anode under ambient conditions. for the acid Mn02-Zn system, under the thermodynamic conditions, a two electron reduction of Mn02 occurs. Initially, in the alkaline Mn02-Zn system. Mn(OH) 4 is the discharge product at the cathode.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA163103
Entities
People
- Larry E. Devries.
Organizations
- Naval Ordnance Laboratory