The alkaline battery (formally known as ‘alkaline manganese cell’) is possibly the most common and better consumer battery available. The alkaline battery excels in low temperature operation and high-current discharges compared to other cells and they have a longer shelf life than LeClanche and Zinc carbon batteries.
Alkaline batteries can be purchased by the consumer from many high-street locations, whole-sale shops and discount suppliers.
How Alkaline Batteries Are Constructed
On the outside of the cell is a manganese dioxide and carbon outer positive cathode, and the inner is powdered-zinc negative anode and potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The battery has a moderate cost compared to the cheaper zinc batteries, maintains a low impedance as it is discharged, and has a moderate energy density (3.5Wh/in³). Unfortunately the cell exhibits a sloping discharge curve.
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