Work time: 9AM to PM
Hotline: +977-9854029565
A car battery to the vehicle is like the human mind. It is central to all the major activities and is lifeless without existential meanings. This car battery is a vital part of the smooth operations and functioning of the overall vehicle. So, what is the chemistry behind the car battery?
A simple answer is a sulphuric acid. Some might call it traditional with all those frenzy operations over lithium-ion EV batteries, but sulphuric acid is the starting point. In other words, you can call these acid batteries invaluable marvels of engineering, which have been the trend shifter for decades.
As a fun fact, without the complex chemistry of acid car batteries, you wouldn't even be able to turn on your car or much less turn down your power windows. Often, the battery acid type refers to the acid used in lead-acid batteries. Here, we will venture down to the areas of the chemical composition of a car battery, its roles, and chemical knowledge.
Typically, when you point out the car battery and its acid, they are made up of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) diluted in the purified water. They are usually used in rechargeable lead-acid batteries with a diluted concentration of about 30-50%.
With a 29% presence of sulphuric acid, this battery acid has a pH level of 0.8, while the density of the sulfuric acid is 1.25 kilograms per liter. In addition, the car battery concentration is relatively high to form a volatile and dangerous chemical.
It is indeed a fact that every car battery and its acid differs alongside the difference in their types. The Nickel-Cadmium car battery consists of Nickel and Cadmium for longer life, temperature range, and high discharge rate. Likewise, the Zinc-Carbon car battery contains manganese dioxide as a cathode and zinc as an anode.
Lead acid batteries include lead dioxide and metallic lead as an anode and sulfuric acid (electrolyte). Here, the car battery construction consists of two lead plates called electrodes. In this case, these plates are then filled with a viscous gel-like substance, the diluted sulphuric acid.
In between those, the lead-acid batteries act as separator and works as an insulator. All these acids stand up at a 4-5 mol/L concentration and work when the electrons flow from the negatively charged lead plate to the positively charged lead plate.
As this combination ensures electrical flow, the chemical reaction is as below.
Pb(s) + PbO2(s) + 2 H2SO4(aq) → 2 PbSO4(s) + 2 H2O(l)
All these basic ideas of the car acid battery are sealed and locked with the battery casting. This battery sealing is used to keep the battery body safe, which is the source for converting chemical energy to electrical energy.
Similar to that of the car battery, the battery sealing is made up of several kinds of raw materials. Additionally, this battery acting consists of multiple layers, which generally can be a layer of Polyethylene Terephthalate, a polymer layer, or carbonized plastic layers.
In a summarized voice, when a car battery is in use, the continuous movement of ions creates a stable current in the batteries. What exactly happens is that the negatively charged sulfate ions travel to the negative electrode and release the negative charges. The excess electrons float from the negative electrode to the positive electrode.
Moving on, this process continues multiple times until the concentration grows weaker over time. Soon, the attention of the water enormously increases, and they will be the ones to coat the electrode while the battery is in use. With more help, the battery acid becomes more diluted and should be recharged using the reverse process.
Here, the car battery runs until it cannot supply enough power anymore. This occurs when the reaction is depleted of the needed sulfate ions. The car battery works with the simple logic of converting electrical energy to chemical energy.
Similar to it, this very logic of attending to an electrochemical process is why car batteries contain acid, as they are the medium in the process. In some cases, it does not have to be the sulphuric acid either. It can be the solvents with dissolved acids or alkalis.
This is the primary reason why electrochemical reactions are not possible in car batteries without using acid. However, people are now creating more advanced car batteries that can run with or without acids.
Yes, car battery acid is quite strong, with a concentration of around 15%-35% and a strength as high as 50%. On the other hand, they are also highly flammable and can ignite under intense pressure or temperature.
Some of its properties include the following.
Improper use of car battery acid results in severe chemical burns. These burns might be as minor as an itch or rash to severe as a progressive burn or wound. A sulphuric acid battery explodes and can cause chemical and thermal burn injuries.
Any minimal direct contact with sulphuric acid can seriously damage the skin and tissue. If you come in contact with sulphuric acid, it is, without a doubt, a medical emergency, and you should immediately seek medical attention.
Fun Fact: Sulphuric acid is known as an oxidizer. They are not flammable or combustible substances but can cause other materials to ignite.
Some of its possible injuries are listed below.