What Is a Primary Cell or Battery?
A primary cell or battery is one that cannot easily be recharged after one use and is discarded following discharge. Most primary cells utilize electrolytes that are contained within absorbent material or a separator (i.e., no free or liquid electrolyte) and are thus termed dry cells.
What Are Batteries?
Batteries are energy storage devices used in everything from medical devices to handheld electronics. They work by converting energy generated by chemical reactions into usable electrical energy. Each battery typically consists of two components—a positive anode and a negative cathode, also known as electrodes.
These electrodes are where the chemical reactions occur within the battery. There is an electrical difference between the anode and cathode. However, since there is no direct connection between them, the electrons stay in place until the battery is inserted into a device. At this point, the electrical circuit is completed, allowing energy (i.e., the electrons) to flow from the battery to the device.
What Are the Types of Primary Batteries?
Primary batteries, or primary cell batteries, come in many varieties. They differ not only in size and shape but also in material composition and performance. The most common types include alkaline, lithium thionyl chloride, lithium, zinc-carbon, and mercuric oxide batteries.
Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline batteries offer improved performance and life than non-alkaline batteries such as zinc-carbon. Alkaline batteries are cost-competitive, demonstrate a long shelf life, and are readily available at retail. Common applications include consumer electronics, such as wireless peripherals, gaming consoles, toys, and household medical devices.
Lithium Thionyl Chloride Batteries
Lithium thionyl chloride batteries offer many benefits compared to other lithium primary chemistries, such as lithium manganese dioxide. Lithium thionyl chloride offers a high voltage, greater energy density with lower weight, and a wider temperature range for extreme cold and hot applications. Lithium thionyl chloride batteries are commonly used in outdoor applications subject to dynamic temperature changes. For instance, these outdoor devices include sensors that power transportation toll collection, utility meters, and emerging IoT devices.
Lithium Batteries
There are two categories of lithium batteries: rechargeable and non-rechargeable. The non-rechargeable type are primary batteries since they can only convert chemical energy into electrical energy and cannot be charged again after they’ve been depleted. As the newest development in battery technology, lithium primary batteries serve as a long-lasting, lightweight power source. They offer high energy density and perform reliably in an extensive range of low power consumption applications, such as cameras.
Zinc-Carbon Batteries
Also known as Leclanché cells, zinc-carbon dry cell batteries have been in use since their invention in the late 19th century. They are affordable, widely available, and offer good performance for the cost. Zinc-carbon batteries feature a very low rate of self-discharge, which makes them best for use in applications that only require power occasionally, such as smoke alarms and remote controls.
Mercuric Oxide Batteries
Since mercuric oxide batteries contain toxic mercury compounds, their use is limited. However, this type of primary battery offers excellent stability and can withstand low temperatures, making it a good option for applications that require long-term storage or outdoor use. Mercuric oxide batteries are mainly used in military or medical equipment.
Advantages of Primary Batteries
While primary batteries are single-use only and cannot be recharged, they offer many advantages for the right application:
- Convenience: Readily available both online and in stores, primary batteries are convenient to obtain and can be used immediately.
- Extended shelf life: Compared to rechargeable batteries, primary batteries feature a much longer shelf life and can be kept in storage for longer periods without experiencing a significant loss in power.
- No maintenance: Unlike other battery types, primary batteries do not need monitoring or maintenance to use.
- Low initial cost: When initial investment costs are a concern, primary batteries are a great solution since they are more cost-effective upfront than rechargeable options.
Disadvantages of Primary Batteries
Although they are cost-effective and widely available, primary batteries may not be ideal for certain applications. Limitations include:
- Single-use: Primary batteries cannot be recharged and used again after they have been depleted. Instead, they must be disposed of, adding to environmental waste.
- Cost over time: While more affordable to purchase initially, buying primary batteries continuously can result in greater costs over time compared to investing in rechargeable options.
- Limited service life: Because they cannot be recharged, primary batteries have a limited and relatively short service life.
- Toxicity: If improperly discarded, primary batteries contribute to environmental pollution since they contain toxic materials like lead and mercury.
Primary vs. Secondary Battery Cells
The main difference between primary and secondary cell batteries is their ability to be recharged. Primary cell batteries can only be discharged once, while secondary cell batteries can be discharged, recharged, and reused multiple times. Secondary battery cells perform reversible chemical reactions that allow them to be reused when charged with an external power source. Some of the most common types of secondary battery cells include:
Primary vs. Secondary Battery Capacity
Secondary batteries usually have greater energy density than primary batteries. This allows them to store more energy per unit of volume or weight and facilitates extended operating times for the devices in which they’re installed.
What Are H&V’s Primary Cell Battery Solutions?
H&V’s alkaline separators are designed with synthetic and organic fibers, which provide excellent absorption, wicking, stability in potassium hydroxide (KOH), and uniform pore structure. Our alkaline separators enable both low and high rate discharge for a range of consumer electronic devices.
H&V’s lithium thionyl chloride separator is durable for high-speed processing, preventing tears and cell shorting. The separator is designed with high-purity microfiber glass and low leachates. Our lithium thionyl separators enable both low and high rate discharge.
Choose Primary Battery Solutions From Hollingsworth & Vose
At Hollingsworth & Vose, we offer advanced materials for diverse energy storage solutions, including non-rechargeable primary batteries. We provide separators in a range of configurations to suit different requirements.
To learn more about our materials and how they are used in primary batteries, contact us today.