Sr.

Name of cell Type Anode Cathode Electrolyte Reactions Other Information

No.
1. Dry cell or Primary Zinc Graphite rod Paste Of Anode Reaction • To prevent
leclanche cell Container Surrounded NH4Cl Zn(s) → Zn2+ + 2e– leakage, ‘Zn’
by MnO2 +ZnCl2 container is coated
Powder with iron or steel.
• Life time is
Cathode Reaction
indefinite as
MnO2+ NH4+ + e–→ MnO(OH) + NH3 NH4Cl Corrodes
Zinc.
• Voltage is 1.2-1.5.
Overall Reaction • Common type of
cell.

2. Mercury Cell Primary Zn-Hg Paste Of Moist paste Anode Reaction • Voltage is approx.
Amalgum (HgO+C) Of KOH + Zn(Hg) + 2OH–→ ZnO(s) + H2O + 2e– 1.35 v
ZnO • Give constant
potential through
out Life

Cathode Reaction
HgO + H2O + 2e–→ Hg(l ) + 2OH–
 Overall Reaction
Zn(Hg) + HgO(s) → ZnO(s) + Hg(l )

Sr. Name of cell Type Anode Cathode Electrolyte Reactions Other Information
No.

3. Lead storage Secondary Spongy Grid Of ‘Pb’ 38% H2SO4 Anode Reaction • 38% H2SO4 has
battery lead packed with by weight Pb(s) + SO42–(aq) → PbSO4(s) + 2e– density= 1.3
(Acid Storage PbO2 • During usage
Cell) density decreases
(lead if it is less than 1.2
Accumulator) Cathode Reaction it should be
PbO2(s) + SO42–(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 2e– charged.
→ PbSO4 (s) + 2H2O (l ) • Vfoltage is 6-12 v
• Used in
Overall Reaction Automobiles
Pb(s)+PbO2(s)+2H2SO4(aq)

2PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
4. Nickel Secondary Cadmium Metal grid KOH(Aq) Cd (s)+2Ni(OH)3 (s) • Cell potential is
Cadmium containing 1.4 v
storage cell NiO2 • Lighter,portable &
(Alkali Storage CdO (s) +2Ni(OH)2 (s) +H2O(l ) costelier, has
cell) longer life