John paul III - 5-1-2019 at 07:16
Dual carbon batteries use graphite formed by pyrolysis of cotton as both cathode and anode. The alkali salt, in the original battery LiPF6 undergoes
following reactions:
Positive electrode:
PF−6 + n C ⇄ Cn(PF6) + e−
Negative electrode:
Li+ + n C + e− ⇄ LiCn
this is interesting to me because Im into low tech chemistry and this seems like the simplest in terms of obtaining chemical components battery out
there. If we can replace LiPF6 with a potassium compound that is.
Therefore: Could a potassium salt by used since it also forms an intercalation compound with graphite (KC8)? Or does KC8 have properties that would
preclude it's use, such that it would for example destroy the fine structure of the electrode?
Why is PF6 used as the anion? It forms an intercalation compound as well which makes the battery rechargeable, but if we're fine with it being a
disposable battery, could we use a carbonate anion that would form co2 at the electrode,or would it potentially oxidize the electrode forming carbon
monoxide?
[Edited on 5-1-2019 by John paul III]
Dan Vizine - 6-1-2019 at 16:14
The large size of potassium would make the graphite cathode tend to crumble and disintegrate even faster than lithium does.