Air batteries, such as zinc-air batteries, operate through a unique electrochemical process that utilizes oxygen from the surrounding air to generate electricity. Once activated, the process unfolds as follows:
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Oxygen Intake: Oxygen molecules enter the battery through small holes in its top.
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Reaction at the Cathode: These oxygen molecules then collide with a positively charged electrode, known as the cathode. In zinc-air batteries, the cathode is composed of porous carbon.
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Hydroxyl Formation: This collision triggers a chemical reaction that results in the production of hydroxyls (OH-).
In summary, air batteries function by facilitating a reaction between atmospheric oxygen and a cathode material (like porous carbon), which leads to the formation of hydroxyls and the generation of electrical energy.
