Electrochemical Cells Producing and Using Electrons for Work

Today you will create a functional electrochemical cell, using aluminum and activated charcoal. The battery that you will create is unique because it is an aluminum-air battery; the charcoal acts as a means to absorb oxygen for the oxidation-reduction process, which generates electrical current through the flow of electrons through the cell. You will experiment with different electrolyte materials to optimize the voltage produced in order to power a variety of LED lights for your project using a series of your batteries. Finally, you will use your understanding of electrochemical cells to evaluate alternatives used in cars such as the Tesla Roadster (figure 1) or Chevy Volt.

Fig 1: Tesla Roadster

P R E P A R I N G WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Watch your instructor test the voltage from a set of alkaline batteries ranging from a tiny watch battery to a large D battery. What do you notice? What does this tell you about batteries? 2. Watch now as your instructor takes a lithium ion battery or nickel-cadmium battery and tests its voltage. What do you observe? Why do you think the results are what they are? 3. Take a careful look at the battery compartment from a toy (or in figure 6.2). What do you notice about how the metal pieces (springs, pads) are arranged? Why are the set up this way? Would this toy run on one single battery? 4. Finally, your instructor will show you voltage results for batteries in the storage component. This is called putting batteries in series. In your own words, define the term series.

Fig 6.2

As always, include an objective for this laboratory activity and share that objective with a teammate or laboratory partner.

E X P E R I M E N T I N G BATTERIES & ELECTRON FLOW

Part A: The setup

There are a variety of ways we can establish an electrochemical cell. The important feature is that there is a complete path for electrons to flow. You instructor will establish an electrochemical cell using an electrolyte and zinc and copper as the two electrodes, explaining the set up with the voltage probes and the flow of electrons. 1. In your chemistry notebook, sketch both set ups and define & label the anode, cathode, flow of electrons, and the metals and solutions. 2. Take notes on the procedure to create each type of cell, as you will have to make multiple cells (of a slightly different type of cell) to create a series to power your LED or other small electrical device.

Part B: Creating an aluminum-oxygen electrochemical cell

1 . Create a single aluminum-oxygen cell using the method your instructor indicates, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2 below. The essential process involves wrapping the carbon rod with conductive dough, and then covering the dough with aluminum foil. Note: Do NOT let the foil come into direct contact with the carbon. 2 . Determine the voltage (potential difference) from your electrochemical cell using a voltage probe or multimeter. Call your instructor over once you have this running. 3 . Create a second aluminum-oxygen cell using the method your instructor indicates. 4 . Connect the second cell in series with the first (see Figure 6.2). Sketch this in your notebook, labeling anodes, cathodes, and the flow of electrons.
Figure 1: Top view of Al- Oxygen Cell

5 . Determine the voltage from your series of two electrochemical cells and attempt to power the red LED. Call your instructor over once you have the circuit established with the red LED. 6 . Try to power each other color of LED, starting with orange and working your way along the electromagnetic spectrum to blue. Note your observations. [HINT: You may need more than two cells for this.] 7 . If you have time, try to create a series of your electrochemical cells to power the blue LED light or a small toy with another group.

A N A L Y Z I N G BATTERIES AND ELECTRON FLOW

Figure 2: Side view of Al-Oxygen Cell

Reading: Electron Flow

Read the section on Galvanic Cells from the CK-12 Electrochemical Cells Flexbook. Also, view the following video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0VUsoeT9aM. There are probably other videos your instructor will post to help visualize the electrochemical cell at the nanoscale.

This is a great one (requires flash): http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/essentialchemistry/flash/galvan5.swf.

Questions: Electron Flow

1. All hair dryers, shavers, and other electrical appliances that are often used in the bathroom, come with labels mandated by the government, saying not to operate the appliance while taking a bath. a) From what you know about solutions and conductivity, why would it be dangerous to use an appliance while bathing? b) Distilled water does not conduct electricity. If you were to take a bath in distilled water, would you be safe to use an electrical appliance while bathing? Explain. 2. Edit the picture of the battery you built in experimenting. a) Show how you would connect the LED to this circuit by drawing the LED and wires to connect to the electrodes. LEDs have different length wires on them (you may not have noticed). The long electrode is the cathode. Make sure to distinguish the two parts of the LED. b) Label each of these parts: aluminum half-cell, oxygen half-cell, aluminum metal electrode, activated charcoal electrode, electrolyte, LED. c) Reread the CK-12 Flexbook section entitled Electrochemical Cells. Draw arrows on your drawing to indicate the path that negatively charged particles flow in the battery. 3. You are probably familiar with using regular AA, C or D-cell batteries (not the rechargeable kind). Batteries eventually die and produce no more voltage. Why? 4. Using the given standard reduction potentials below, determine the standard cell potential of an aluminum-oxygen cell. Al(OH)3 + 3e Al + 3OH O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OH

Ered = -1.66 V Ered = -0.40 V

5. Predict a metal half-cell that you could replace the aluminum half-cell within your battery and produce more voltage. Explain the reasoning behind your prediction. 6. Explain why, when constructing your aluminum-oxygen batteries, you should not allow the aluminum foil to directly contact the carbon rod.

CT

C R I T I C A L L Y

T H I N K I N G

MEAN? KNOW? BELIEVE? CARE?

What does the activity mean?

Chemistry explains the macroscopic phenomenon (what you observe) with and explanation of what happens at the nanoscopic level (atoms and molecules) using symbolic structures as a way to communicate. Explain the meaning of this activity by completing the MNS table. M ACRO Describe how you would construct a nickel-cadmium battery using electrodes, solutions, and wires. N ANO How do electrons flow through a nickel-cadmium battery when it is connected in series with the LED? SYMBOLIC Write balance half reactions for a nickel-cadmium battery.

How do I know? 3

Explain in words the flow of electrons with the red LED light and the two aluminum-oxygen cells in series.

Why do I believe?
Why did it take more batteries in series to light the blue LED? Connect this to what you know about light and energy from your prior studies.

Why do I care?
Research the various electrochemical cells used in current electric options, including the Volt, Tesla Roadster, Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of electrochemical cell used? Explain what youd choose, connecting it to what weve learned about the chemistry of the cells.