Electrochemical Reaction Principles and Main Products of Al-Air Generator Power Lamp in Alkaline Electrolyte

Technical Discussion and Knowledge Exchange on the Power Generation Principles and Practical Applications of Aluminum-Air Generators

In potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, the aluminum-air battery reactions involve aluminum oxidation at the anode and oxygen reduction at the cathode, producing potassium aluminate (KAlO₂) as the main soluble aluminum-containing product, along with hydrogen gas as a side product.

Reaction Principle in KOH Solution

Anode (oxidation) reaction:

Aluminum reacts with KOH and water to form potassium aluminate (KAlO₂) and hydrogen gas (H₂). The balanced reaction is:

2Al+2KOH+6H₂O→2KAlO₂+3H₂↑+4H₂O

More precisely, simplified as:

2Al+2KOH+2H₂O→2KAlO₂+3H₂↑

This shows aluminum oxidized to form potassium aluminate, while hydrogen gas evolves as a side product.

Cathode (reduction) reaction:

Oxygen from air is reduced in the alkaline electrolyte:

O₂+2H₂O+4e−→4OH−

Overall reaction:

Combining anode and cathode reactions, the overall cell reaction can be written as:

4Al+4KOH+6H₂O+3O₂→4KAlO₂+3H₂O+6OH−

or more commonly simplified to show the formation of potassium aluminate and hydrogen gas:

2Al+2KOH+2H₂O→2KAlO₂+3H₂↑

Main and Side Reactions

Main reaction: Formation of potassium aluminate (KAlO₂) through aluminum oxidation in alkaline solution. This is the desired electrochemical reaction responsible for electricity generation.

Side (parasitic) reaction: Hydrogen evolution from aluminum corrosion, which consumes aluminum and electrolyte without producing useful electrical energy, reducing efficiency.

Additionally, potassium aluminate (KAlO₂) can hydrolyze and precipitate as aluminum hydroxide:

KAlO₂+2H₂O⇌KOH+Al(OH)₃↓

Here, insoluble aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) precipitates as a byproduct, which can affect electrolyte conductivity and battery performance.

Role of Potassium Ion (K⁺)

Potassium ions (K⁺) do not directly participate in the redox reactions but serve as charge-balancing ions in the electrolyte and form potassium aluminate (KAlO₂) as a soluble complex. They maintain electrolyte conductivity and neutrality but are not consumed or produced in the redox process.

Summary with Potassium Aluminate in Reaction Equation

Balanced anode reaction including potassium aluminate:

2Al+2KOH+6H₂O→2KAlO₂+3H₂↑+4H₂O

or simplified:

2Al+2KOH+2H₂O→2KAlO₂+3H₂↑

This equation explicitly includes potassium aluminate (KAlO₂) as the main product of the aluminum oxidation in KOH electrolyte.

Summary：

This reflects the core electrochemical process in aluminum-air batteries operating in potassium hydroxide solution, highlighting the formation of potassium aluminate as the main product and hydrogen gas as the side product, with potassium ions acting as electrolyte carriers but not directly involved in redox

Applications of Al-Air Generator Power Lamp

• Emergency Power Supply
  Provides reliable lighting and power support during power outages or emergency situations.

• Disaster Relief Efforts
  Suitable for humanitarian aid in conflict zones, refugee camps, and disaster sites, ensuring basic lighting and device charging.

• Outdoor Activities
  Portable lighting and mobile power source for camping, field research, hiking, and other outdoor scenarios.

• Nighttime Security Lighting
  Provides safe illumination at night, enhancing security in dark environments.

• Mobile Device Charging
  Charges phones, digital cameras, small fans, and other devices via USB and Type-C ports.

• Environmentally Friendly Power Source
  Uses environmentally friendly electrolytes such as saltwater, producing no pollution or harmful waste, and is green and sustainable.

If you have any inquiries or would like to engage in technical discussions regarding the aluminum-air battery generation principles and manufacturing technologies, or about the Al-Air Generator and Al-Air Generator Power Lamp products and their applications, please feel free to contact us.

We welcome collaboration and knowledge exchange to advance the development and practical use of aluminum-air energy solutions.

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