What Is a Primary Cell or Battery?
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.
A primary cell or battery is one that cannot easily be recharged after one use, and are 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 the various types of Primary Batteries?
There are various types of primary cells or batteries to include alkaline and lithium thionyl chloride.
- Alkaline batteries offer improved performance and life than non-alkaline batteries such as zinc carbon. They are cost competitive, demonstrate a long shelf life, readily available at retail, and commonly used in consumer electronics to include wireless peripherals, gaming consoles, toys, and household medical devices.
- Lithium thionyl chloride offer many benefits compared to other lithium primary chemistries to include 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 outside applications subject to wide temperature ranges. For instance, devices include sensors that power transportation toll collection, utility meters, or emerging IoT devices.
What are H&V’s Primary Battery Solutions?
H&V’s alkaline separators have been designed with synthetic and organic fibers which provide excellent absorption, wicking, stability in KOH, and uniform pore structure. The alkaline separators enable both low and high rate discharge for a wide range of consumer electronic devices.
H&V’s Lithium thionyl chloride separator is durable for high speed processing preventing tears and cells shorting. The separator is designed with high purity microfiber glass and low leachates. H&V lithium thionyl separator enables both low and high rate discharge.
Choose Primary Battery Solutions From Hollingsworth & Vose
At Hollingsworth & Vose, we offer advanced materials for cleaner energy storage products, 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.