Silver Oxide Batteries – Recycling and Comparison

Primary cells play a crucial role in the modern world of batteries. There are different types of these batteries, with different features.

Silver oxide batteries have a high energy-to-weight ratio, making them one of the best. They offer energy capacity that is about double that of button alkaline batteries.

3.2V 20A Low Temp LiFePO4 Battery Cell -40℃ 3C discharge capacity≥70% Charging temperature：-20~45℃ Discharging temperature: -40~+55℃ pass acupuncture test -40℃ maximum discharge rate：3C

READ MORE

The name silver oxide may not be the most common one. But you will find these batteries in a wide range of appliances. 

They are unfamiliar to many users and yet used quite commonly.

In this guide, we shall be talking about these useful cells. If you didn’t know much about them, you have come to the right place.

Silver Oxide Batteries Vs. Alkaline

You probably know alkaline batteries already. Not many people know about silver oxide ones though. And yet they meet both chemistries every day.

Silver oxide batteries feature a flatter discharge curve, compared to alkaline batteries. This is one of the main differences. Apart from that, the batteries are not flammable. They also don’t experience thermal runaway.

We will go over everything you need to know comparing silver oxide to alkaline batteries.

What are silver oxide batteries?

These are primary cells with silver oxide making the cathode and zinc as the anode. IEC codes them as S batteries.

The batteries are considered very stable due to their constant nominal voltage during discharge. They will release the same energy until they are depleted.

They appear as small button size cells. The amount of silver in them is modest and not unreasonably expensive. Hence, the entire product is affordable.

Low Temperature High Energy Density Rugged Laptop Polymer Battery Battery specification: 11.1V 7800mAh -40℃ 0.2C discharge capacity ≥80% Dustproof, resistance to dropping, anti - corrosion, anti - electromagnetic interference

READ MORE

Due to their great energy-to-weight ratio, silver oxide batteries were mostly applied in lunar modular and rover power items in the Apollo program.

Because of their sizes, silver oxide batteries are sometimes called button cells. It’s a compact single-cell battery designed like a squat cylinder.

In terms of chemical composition, silver oxide batteries use electrolytes similar to AMBs. The positive-active substance is silver monoxide, and hence, the use of pure graphite.

What are alkaline batteries?

Alkaline batteries, (IEC code L) are primary cells that feature zinc metal and manganese dioxide as reacting agents. These batteries come with alkaline potassium hydroxide electrolytes. Hence, their name. This electrolyte replaces the acidic ammonium chloride or zinc chloride in zinc-carbon cells.

Alkaline batteries promise long life combined with a long shelf life. They are safe to handle and use. Also, their energy density is quite high compared to other batteries. They can work in a wide range of temperatures.

Silver Oxide vs. Alkaline Batteries

There are several differences between these two batteries. Let us have a look:

·Appearance: Silver oxide batteries are relatively smaller.

·Size: Silver oxide measure 5.8 x 1.6 mm while alkaline batteries start from 11.6 x 5.4 mm

·Capacity: You can get up to 150 mAh while alkaline can offer up to 3000 mAh.

·Supported devices: Silver oxide batteries are used in watches, calculators, photoelectric exposure devices, and hearing aids electronic instruments. Alkaline batteries can be found in home items like MP3 players, CD players, toys, remote control units, and similar items.

·Cost: Due to their capacity, silver oxide batteries cost more than alkaline batteries.

Which One to Choose

It’s important to find the right battery type between these two chemistries. You can use the following factors.

· Cost: Silver oxide batteries are smaller, but they cost much more.

· Maintenance: Silver oxide batteries maintain a  more stable voltage, which makes them a better option in terms of performance. Alkaline batteries are however more useful in high-current devices.

·Safety:  Users can get 50 to 100 percent higher capacity from silver oxide batteries than from alkaline ones. Hence, they last much longer.

Silver Oxide Batteries Recycling

Silver oxide is one of the most common cell batteries. They are found in several applications, including calculators, hearing aids, and wristwatches.

They are small in size, which makes them easy to use.  Apart from that, the batteries are known for offering the longest storage life and the ability to work in a wide range of temperatures.

The recycling of silver oxide batteries has been a topic of discussion for many years. Are the batteries are safe?  Perhaps you have also found yourself asking these same questions.

Understand that silver oxide and other button batteries contain mercury. Hence, recycling them is a must.  

But since they are not rechargeable, you don’t have to worry too much about their impact on the environment. Many programs don’t cover them.

Better still, you probably have very few button cells to recycle. This is because they are not very common and last a lot more than other batteries.

Here is what to do:

· Take them to professionals: In most cases, it’s advisable that you take the batteries to professionals for replacement. These are the right people to recycle the batteries.

·Dispose of them as household hazardous wastes. Oftentimes, silver oxide batteries are accepted as household hazardous waste. These programs are sponsored by most state counties.

During the recycling process, silver oxide batteries are shredded to remove valuable heavy metals. They will then be used in creating other items.

Silver Oxide Batteries Vs. Lithium

Silver oxide and lithium batteries are both common types. Silver oxide is mostly smaller button batteries with low capacity.

Lithium batteries on the other hand are much bigger in terms of capacity. You will come across them on most mobile devices.

Silver oxide batteries are primary cells. This means they cannot be recharged. Once you use them, they are disposed of to recycling firms.

Most lithium batteries on the other hand are secondary. You can recharge them and use them several times before their life cycle expires.

Silver batteries are quite durable. Also, they have a higher energy-to-weight ratio and can tolerate much higher current loads.

Lithium batteries have a short shelf-life. They also don’t offer the best energy-to-weight ratio and are not very tolerant of high current loads.

In terms of use, silver oxide cells are best for smaller appliances. Lithium batteries are designed for more power-demanding applications.

Lithium-ion is one of the fastest-growing types of batteries. It’s very common. Silver oxide are not a very popular option. That is why not many people know them.