An alkaline battery is a broader term used for collection of cells. The alkaline batteries are of two types- disposable and rechargeable. When disposable batteries dry out after their first use, they are of no use thereafter. But, the rechargeable batteries can be charged again by connecting it to the AC power supply. The disposable batteries consist of a chemical composition which holds the energy only once. The energy can be drawn (discharging) only once and there is no provision for recharging the cells. The disposable cells are a direct threat to environment. The common examples are mercury battery and zinc-carbon battery.

In case of rechargeable battery, the architecture of the individual cells is the same as disposable. The only difference being the change in chemical composition. The composition is altered in a way that it supports recharging. The battery can be recharged by drawing energy from AC power supply. Popular examples of rechargeable batteries are Lithium-ion battery, Lithium-ion polymer battery and Nickel-Zinc battery. Li-ion battery is the most widely used worldwide including its use in portable computers to almost all other devices like mobiles, GPS devices etc.

The capacity of the battery depends on number of cells and the chemical composition of the battery. A portable computer requires 6-cell batteries whereas just one-cell batteries will work on mobile phones, GPS devices etc. Over time, rechargeable alkaline batteries are prone to leak a jelly-like KOH causing skin irritation and respiratory disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to change your batteries after a definite interval.

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