Galvanic Cell as Power Source for Miniature Recreational Plaza

A Research Paper Presented

to the Faculty of Electronics Engineering Department of

Iloilo Science and Technology University

Burgos-Mabini St., La Paz, Iloilo City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

EPHYS 12 (Physics 2)

May 2023
 Introduction

Electrolytic cell: any device in which electrical energy is converted to chemical

energy or vice versa, respectively named after the scientists Luigi Galvani and

Alessandro Volta. Such a cell typically consists of two electrodes, which can be

metallic or electronic conductors, held apart from one another and in contact with an

electrolyte (q.v.), which is typically an ionic compound that has been dissolved or

fused. The connection of the electrodes to a source of direct electric current renders

one of them negatively charged and the other positively charged. In the electrolyte,

negative ions migrate to the positive electrode (anode) and transfer one or more

electrons to it, creating new ions or neutral particles. In the same way, positive ions

migrate to the negative electrode (cathode) and combine with one or more electrons,

losing some or all of their charge and creating new, lower-charged ions, neutral

atoms or molecules.

The two procedures combine to produce a chemical reaction known as an

oxidation-reduction reaction, which involves the transfer of electrons from the

negative ions to the positive ions. The electrolysis of sodium chloride (common salt),

which results in the formation of sodium metal and chlorine gas, is one example; the

energy needed to drive the reaction forward is provided by the electric current. The

production of caustic soda and electrodeposition for metal plating or refinement are

two additional frequent uses of electrolysis.

 Fig. 1. Galvanic Cell Structure

Photo taken from: Galvanic cell @ Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary

The electric current that flows between two half-reactions is measured by a

voltmeter. The power required to move a charged particle in an electric field is known

as the potential of a cell and is expressed in volts. Vertical lines that denote phase

boundaries and the location of the salt bridge are used in cell diagrams, a type of line

notation used to represent electrochemical cells. The junction potential is the

measure of a boundary's resistance to charge flow.

Fig. 2. Half-Reactions

Photo taken from: Galvanic cell @ Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary

A study conducted by Bandojo et al. (2022) introduces the idea of using

galvanic cells as energy sources. The study reported that galvanic cells can be used

as energy sources and are able to produce voltage with a value depending on the

number of sets used. Also, according to the study, the galvanic cells can produce

enough voltage to power lightbulbs and can usually last for days. In this project, the
researchers would conduct trials and experiments with the galvanic cell as an

alternative energy source to power-up a miniature town plaza.

The reaction that takes place when an iron nail comes into contact with salt

water is oxidation. The speed of the reaction is enhanced due to the electrochemical

process where the iron nail and the saltwater form a voltaic cell. The copper serves

as a conductor and allows the passage of energy produced by the redox reaction of

the nail and saltwater. It serves as the pathway for electrons from the galvanic cell up

to the output.

Objectives

This project aimed to:

1. create an alternative power source that can be effectively used as a substitute for

traditional power sources and batteries; and

2. innovate the output of the created power source into something creative and

functional.

Methodology

Materials

Part 1. Galvanic Cell

Electrical tape. It served as the insulator that separates the anode and

cathode.

Iron nails. These served as the anode in the reaction. It is the electrode where

oxidation (loss of electrons) takes place. In a galvanic cell, it is the negative

electrode, because when oxidation occurs, electrons are left behind on the electrode.
 Multimeter. It measured the difference in potentials between the two half-

reactions, which corresponds to the voltage.

Plastic bottles. These acted as the storage of the electrolyte as well as anode

and cathode.

Salt water mixture. It acted as the electrolyte.

Soldering Iron. To prevent disconnection, the copper wire looping around the

iron nail was soldered to the end of another coiled copper wire.

Solid galvanic wires. These served as the pathway of electrons from the

voltage source up to the input.

Part 2. Miniature

Cardboard. It served as the main structure of the miniature.

Fairy lights. These served as the output for the voltage produced by the

galvanic cell.

Office supplies. Office supplies such as glue, wallpaper, cutter, tape, pencil,

scissors, and ruler were used.

Procedures

Part 1. Construction of Galvanic Cell

1. Preparation of Materials

Fig. 3. Materials

Photos taken from: www.google.com

2. Putting a small hole to the center of the bottle cup

Fig. 4.

Photo taken by: James Kevin A. Cabrias

3. Attaching the nail with the bottle cup and rapping the electrical tape to the end of

the iron nail

 Fig. 5.

Photos taken by: James Kevin A. Cabrias

4. Making a coil using copper wires with 9 to 10 loops and attaching it to the bottle

cap looping around the iron nail (repeat the process up to the desired number of

sets)

Fig. 6.

Photos taken by: James Kevin A. Cabrias

5. Attaching the bottle caps with nail and copper coils into the surface of plywood in a

regular pattern and connect them in series connection and attaching the plastic

bottle filled with salt water to the bottle cap submerging the iron nail and the copper

coil in the salt solution inside the bottle

Fig. 7.

Photos taken by: James Kevin A. Cabrias and

Ma. Chris Eve A. Alingasa

6. Testing the voltage drop of the connection using a voltmeter or multimeter

Fig. 8. Materials

Photos taken by: Danthea B. Pagay

Part 2. Making the Miniature

1. Preparation of Materials

Fig. 8. Materials

Photos taken from: www.google.com

2. Creating the base of the miniature

Fig. 9.

Photos taken by: Danthea B. Pagay

3. Attaching the details of the miniature.

 Fig. 10.

Photos taken by: Grace P. Adame

4. Attaching the fairy lights in the miniature

Fig. 4.

Photos taken by: Danthea B. Pagay

Results and Discussion

When the copper wire and the iron nail were submerged under the saltwater,

the saltwater acts as the electrolyte, allowing ions to move between the electrodes –

which in this project was the iron nail and copper wire. The iron nail served as the

anode whereas the copper wire served as the cathode.

The iron in the nail undergoes a chemical reaction called oxidation, releasing

electrons. These electrons flow through the wire to the copper electrode, creating an

electrical current. Meanwhile, at the cathode (copper wire), reduction occurs, where

copper ions from the saltwater solution gain electrons and deposit on the copper

wire.
 The combination of the oxidation of iron at the anode and the reduction of

copper ions at the cathode generates an electrochemical potential difference, which

drives the flow of electrons and creates electricity in the form of an electric current.

The overall chemical reaction in this setup can be represented as:

Fe(s) → Fe²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ (anode reaction - -0.44V

oxidation)

Cu²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → Cu(s) (cathode reaction - 0.337V

reduction)

Total

Fe(s) + Cu²⁺(aq) → Fe²⁺(aq) + Cu(s) 0.777V

Fe(s) | Fe²⁺(aq) || Cu²⁺(aq) | Cu(s) – Cell notation

This flow of electrons between the anode and cathode creates an electric

current that can power a device or be used for other electrical purposes.

When a voltmeter is connected to copper half-cell and to an iron (II) half-cell,

theoretically, a cell potential of 0.777V should be measured. Multiplying by 36

batteries, the maximum potential difference by theory could extend to 27.972V.

However, we should take in consideration that these calculations assume standard

conditions (1 M concentration, 1 atm pressure, 298 K temperature) and only provide

an approximation of the actual cell potential. Actual cell potentials may still be

lowered depending on factors such as its concentration, temperature, and electrode

surface conditions.
 Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions

This experiment is a combination of a galvanic cell and a saltwater battery.

Technically, the set-up itself does not resemble the traditional galvanic cell, where a

salt bridge is present in the act. However, the experiment indeed generated energy -

the voltaic cell was able to produce a significant amount of voltage, enough to power

a series of fairy lights given the number of sets of voltaic cells. The researchers

hereby conclude that voltaic cells are applicable to be used as alternative power

source. However, based on the findings the voltaic cell can only be used for small

scale application due to it can only produce very small amount of voltage and cannot

be used for large scale applications that requires high voltage input.

The reason behind this is still the reduction-oxidation reaction of the copper

wire and the iron nail; however, the ions are simply floating all across the saltwater.

Now, this chaos of ions could still create electricity, but just not in that organized way.

And once a setup starts to generate electricity, it will simply add up to the total value

of the potential difference. Therefore, the more successful cells or systems that work,

the higher the output.

There is also another problem that emerges from this, and this is where

saltwater batteries take place: the amount of salt concentration. Contradicting the

common misconception, more salt does not equate to higher electric output. Salt,

however, acts as an electrolyte and makes sure that the electricity flows smoothly.

Since this is a series system, if one cell is in trouble, the rest in line behind it are

affected too. This trouble includes:

1. salt is not enough to let the ions flow smoothly, thus breaking the flow of electricity;

2. there is a problem with how the wires are connected, such as a gap; and

3. the iron corroded.

 Finally, based on the cost analysis, the voltaic cell is not a sustainable to be

used as alternative because it requires high-cost building and maintenance.

Expensive enough for a very small voltage output. The items used for the cell is not

environmentally sustainable because it uses and produces chemicals that can be

toxic, harmful, and pollutant.

Recommendations

Given the results and conclusions, the researchers hereby forward the

following recommendations:

1. Further study about the nature of galvanic cells using different materials, design,

types of connection, and types of applications;

2. Further research on feasibility and identifying small-scale applications where this

product can be highly effective or required;

3. Execute detailed and accessible further studies about the redox reaction that takes

place during electrochemical processes;

4. Constructing the galvanic cell using recycled and sustainable materials for better

economic efficiency;

5. Study and consider other methods of harnessing energy other than galvanic cell;

and

6. Incorporate galvanic cell with other types of alternative energy sources to test

collaborative efficiency.
 References

Bandojo et al. (2022). The potential of saltwater as source of energy. Retrieved May

16, 2023 from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190729151859.htm

Georgia States University (n.d.). Corrosion as an electrochemical process.

Retrieved May 16, 2013 from

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Chemical/corrosion.html

Libretexts (2020, August 11). 19.3: Voltaic (or galvanic) cells: Generating electricity

from spontaneous chemical reactions. Retrieved May 16, 2023 from

ChemistryLibreTexts.https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/

SCC%3A_Chem_400__General_Chemistry_I/Text/19%3A_Electrochemistry/

19.3%3A_Voltaic_(or_Galvanic)_Cells

%3A_Generating_Electricity_from_Spontaneous_Chemical_Reactions?readerView
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A

Cost Analysis
Table 1

Cost of Materials Used for the Galvanic Cell

Materials Cost (Php)

Plywood 150

Copper wire 400

Nails 50

Plastic bottles 465

Chip board 70

Fairy lights 100

Adhesives 200

Miscellaneous 300

Total 1,735

Table 2

Cost of Materials Used for the Miniature Recreational Park

Materials Cost (Php)

Chipboards 50

Wallpaper 60

Adhesives 250

Glass dome 20

Miscellaneous 280

Printed materials 60

Total 1,735
 APPENDIX B

Pictures During Voltage Drop Trials

 APPENDIX C

Pictures During Constructing of Miniature