What metals do batteries contain?

There are two types of batteries:

1) Primary batteries: These batteries produce current instantly when assembled and are most commonly used in everyday portable devices. The following are some of the most common types of primary batteries that contain metals:

a) Zinc-Carbon: As the name suggest, in a Zinc-Carbon cell, the metals that are used include Zinc and Carbon, with zinc forming the container of the cell and carbon (usually graphite powder) forming the cathode part.

b) Zinc-Chloride: This cell is superior to the Zinc-Carbon cell. The battery uses ZnCl2 paste and is also known as heavy-duty cells.

c) Alkaline: The power of these batteries is provided by zinc and manganese dioxide. The battery is ideal for use in CD players, pagers, lights, and toys.

d) Nickel oxhydroxide: The main metals used in the construction of a Nickel oxhydroxide battery are nickel and graphite.

e) Lithium: The battery make use of lithium as anode and manganese dioxide for cathode. Other types include -: Li-CuO, LiFeS2, LiMnO2, Li-(CF)n andLi-CrO2.

f) Mercury oxide: The metals mercury and zinc are used in the construction of a Mercury battery, also known as a mercuric oxide battery. The practical application is in the shape of button for watches, calculators and hearing aid.

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2) Secondary batteries, also known as rechargeable batteries, must be charged prior to use. In the discharged state, these batteries are typically assembled with active materials. The following are some of the most common types of secondary batteries that contain metals:

a) NiCd: As the name implies, the battery contains two metals: nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) (Cd). The wording is a little different, but the wording is the same.

b) Lead-acid: This battery uses lead and sulfuric acid and is one of the oldest battery types, with widespread use in automobile engines.

c) NiMH: The metal used is simply nickel, with hydrogen acting as an anode. It's also known as a nickel-hydrogen battery.

d) NiZn: Nickel and zinc are the two metals used in the construction of nickel-zinc battery with practical application in electric bikes, garden tools, etc.

e) AgZn: Silver metal is the main component of extremely expensive batteries. The variant available is the Silver-Zinc battery utilising zinc to cut cost and to withstand large loads.

f) Lithium ion: Also known as Li-Ion batteries, these batteries use graphite and lithium to generate an electrical charge. It's a very expensive battery with an extremely high energy density.