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Daniell Cell Operation

1836
  • John Frederic Daniell

An improvement on the Voltaic pile, the Daniell cell consists of a copper electrode in a copper(II) sulfate solution and a zinc electrode in a zinc sulfate solution, separated by a porous barrier. This two-fluid design prevents hydrogen gas buildup (polarization) on the copper electrode, resulting in a much more stable and reliable voltage source for a longer duration.

The Daniell cell elegantly solved the primary issue of the Voltaic pile: polarization. In the Voltaic pile, hydrogen bubbles formed on the copper cathode, insulating it and stopping the current. The Daniell cell’s design physically separates the two half-reactions. It typically consists of a central zinc anode immersed in a zinc sulfate solution, which is contained within an unglazed earthenware pot. This porous pot is then placed inside a copper can that serves as the cell’s cathode, filled with a copper sulfate solution.

The porous barrier allows ions to pass through to maintain charge neutrality but prevents the solutions from mixing freely. At the anode, zinc is oxidized: [latex]Zn \rightarrow Zn^{2+} + 2e^-[/latex]. At the cathode, instead of hydrogen ions being reduced, copper ions from the copper sulfate solution are reduced and plate onto the copper electrode: [latex]Cu^{2+} + 2e^- \rightarrow Cu[/latex].

Because no gas is produced at the cathode, the polarization problem is eliminated. This results in a very stable and constant voltage of approximately 1.1 volts, which made the Daniell cell the first truly practical battery. Its reliability was crucial for the new electrical industries of the 19th century, particularly the telegraph, which required a consistent power source for long-distance comunicación.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 2203
– Electrochemistry

Tipo

Physical Device

Disruption

Substantial

Utilización

Obsolete

Precursors

  • Alessandro Volta’s Voltaic Pile, which highlighted the problem of polarization
  • Michael Faraday’s laws of electrolysis, which quantified electrochemical reactions
  • Improved understanding of ionic solutions and salts
  • Development of porous ceramics for use as separators

Aplicaciones

  • power source for early telegraph networks
  • powering doorbells and early telephone systems
  • used as a laboratory voltage standard for calibration
  • electrotyping and electroplating industries

Patentes:

ESO

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: Daniell cell, galvanic cell, electrochemistry, polarization, porous barrier, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, voltage standard

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Historical Context

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

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