Making a zinc-carbon battery (2024)

I tried this experiment successfully on my own in May 2024.

First, I mixed some manganese dioxide MnO2 with graphite C. Then I shook the mixture.

Then I inserted a graphite electrode into a silicone tube to make the body of the battery. Next, I poured some MnO2 and C mixture into the battery 'cartridge'.

After that, I put a cotton cylinder into the cartridge and soaked it with ammonium chloride NH4Cl solution. Then I inserted a bolt plated with zinc Zn. Voilà! The battery is ready.

I tested it with a simple circuit and the bulb lit up. It worked!

I used to need adult supervision when I first started fiddling with home experiment kits, but now I can follow and understand instructions myself and handle chemicals safely.

The experiment stirred my interest in finding out more about batteries, such as their efficiency and cost. For instance, with electrical cars becoming more widespread nowadays, creating more powerful alternatives to existing batteries has become critical. Better batteries can help drivers save time and harness energy more efficiently.
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