The alkaline battery gets its name because it has an alkaline electrolyte of potassium hydroxide (KOH) instead of the acidic ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or zinc chloride (ZnCl2) electrolyte of the zinc–carbon batteries. Other battery systems also use alkaline electrolytes, but they use different active materials for the electrodes. Alkaline batteries contain zinc (Zn) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) (Health codes 1), which is a cumulative neurotoxin and can be toxic in higher concentrations. However, compared to other battery types, the toxicity of alkaline batteries is moderate.[6] Alkaline batteries are used in many household items such as MP3 players, CD players, digital cameras, toys, flashlights, and radios.
Alkaline batteries are used in many household items such as Remote Controls, MP3 players, CD players, digital cameras, toys, flashlights, Alarm clocks and radios.
Other uses include medical, industrial, defense and military, among others.
Medical applications use alkaline batteries as power source in specific types of infusion pumps, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, electronic thermometers and the like.
Industrial applications of alkaline batteries involve usage in smoke alarms, portable transmitters, scanners, digital voltmeters, door locks, remote controls and laser pointers.
Military and Defense application include usage of alkaline batteries in SINCGARS, man pack radios and also in GPS systems.