Why are alkaline batteries more durable?

2025-08-21 16:56:32

Compared to ordinary dry-cell batteries, alkaline batteries offer advantages such as durability, high current capacity, long storage life, and corrosion-resistant casings. Why is this so? First, ordinary dry-cell batteries are filled with a solid paste, while the potassium hydroxide in alkaline batteries is liquid, resulting in lower internal resistance. Furthermore, the zinc in alkaline batteries reacts in a granular form, providing a larger contact area with the electrolyte. As a result, the current generated is 3 to 5 times greater than that of ordinary dry-cell batteries of the same volume. Second, alkaline batteries do not produce internal gases during discharge, while ordinary dry-cell batteries do. Therefore, their voltage is more stable than that of ordinary dry-cell batteries. Furthermore, alkaline batteries contain fewer non-reactive fillers, resulting in a smaller size. Consequently, alkaline batteries of the same volume are significantly more durable than ordinary dry-cell batteries.