Alkaline battery
An alkaline battery is usually a primary cell (it cannot be recharged), but some are rechargeable. It is very common. Duracell, Rayovac, and Energizer are common brands of alkaline batteries. They were introduced in the 1960s and replaced the Leclanche battery as the "everyday battery" in the 1990s. They are marketed in many forms, such as AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, and small disc cells for watches and calculators. In the battery, zinc is oxidized by manganese dioxide in a potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
Alkaline Battery Media
- Thomas Edison's nickel–iron batteries.jpg
Thomas Edison's nickel–iron batteries manufactured under the "Exide" brand, originally developed in 1901 by Thomas Edison, use a potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
- Button cells and 9v cells (3).png
Several sizes of button and coin cells. Some are alkaline and others are silver oxide. Two 9 V batteries were added as a size comparison. Enlarge to see the size code markings.
- Alkaline-battery-english.svg
Simplified diagram of alkaline battery construction.
Potassium compound leakage inside an alkaline battery
