Graphite Rods and MnO2 from used Carbon-Zinc Dry Cells

If you've ever needed graphite rods for electrolysis or high temperature work, here's how to avoid buying them by talking graphite sticks from lantern batteries. Alternatively, you can purchase graphite gouging rods at welding supply shops. It is recommended that the rods be soaked in water overnight to remove any zinc and ammonium chloride that may be left on them. I have found that Acetone and MEK are good solvents for the tar.

Also mentioned is NurdRage, of whom I am a big fan. The MnO2 found in the depleted dry cells can be washed and used in several of his experiments, starting with the conversion to the sulfate salt shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gXByJkg0iY&feature=related
After this, a little chemical knowledge can yield useful things like manganese metal or potassium permanganate.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• carbon
• zinc
• battery
• dry
• cell
• doug's
• lab
• arc
• furnace
• graphite
• rod
• instructions
• manganese
• dioxide
• MnO2
• ZnCl2

[pyropakman]

Reaction:

Zn(s) + 2MnO2(s) + 2NH4+(aq) → Mn2O3(s) + Zn(NH3)2 2+(aq) + H2O(l)

Zinc gives up electrons to manganese dioxide, in essence. :D

[zhmapper]

@pyropakman Ah, thank you!

[72fr250]

Dollar Tree batteries (the red and silver ones) have carbon rods in the center, and it's one $1 for a pack of 3 D cells :D

[ferfuson]

Fuk u, talk to much but work not done

[znothing]

are any of the materials you touched TOXIC?? since you werent using any gloves what if it was a new battery and you touched the manganese??

im going to use these rods for my project i hope you reply soon

[oreo792]

i used a hammer and took all of the 4 cells and got the graphite out and took out 2 sticks out too! bad idea!

[Ffojt]

SECOND! SO WHAT??? Nice vid, thumbs up=D

[Ffojt]

SECOND! SO WHAT??? Nice vid, thumbs up=D

[teeboytel]

first!