Different Reactions for Chem-E-Car

Note:
1. The further recruitment process is based on this module, but not limited to it.
2. The reactions given here are for understanding and you can go through them
thoroughly from the internet.
3. Try to analyse and compare different types of reactions.

Hydrogen Fuel cell

Reaction:
Mg(S) + H2SO4 → Mg2SO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

H2 released can be stored in a balloon which is then supplied to the fuel cell ensuring all H2 gas
is consumed by the fuel cell. By-product is magnesium sulphate (epsom salt) which is non-toxic.

Construction (Alkaline fuel cells): The electrodes are made from carbon. The two electrodes are
separated by a porous matrix saturated with an aqueous alkaline solution, such as potassium
hydroxide (KOH).

Working: The fuel cell produces power through a redox reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. At
the anode, hydrogen is oxidized producing water and releasing electrons. The electrons flow through
an external circuit and return to the cathode, reducing oxygen. Operating temperature is around
80oC which allows them to start up rapidly from cold and have a high power density.

Reactions at the electrodes are as follows:

Anode: 2H2 + 4OH- → 4H2O + 4e-
Cathode: O2 + 2H2O + 4e- → 4OH-
Overall: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O + energy
 Luminol Reaction (stopping mechanism)
Method1:
● solution A: fill a beaker with 100 mL of water. Add 0.18 g of luminol and 3.0 mL of
sodium hydroxide solution (1 M).
● solution B: fill another beaker with 100 mL of water. Add 1 mL of hydrogen peroxide
(3%) and 0.03 g of potassium ferricyanide.

Method2:
● Solution A: Dissolve 0.2 g luminol, 4.0 g Na2CO3, 24.0 g NaHCO3, 0.5 g (NH4)2CO3, and
0.4 g CuSO4•5H2O in a final volume of 1 L
● Solution B: dilute 50 mL of 3% H2O2 in 950 mL water (1 L total).

Depending on how well the solution is buffered, the blue glow produced by this reaction can
persist for a couple of minutes.
N2 and water are by-products of this reaction.

Size of Car: All components of the car must fit into a box of dimensions no larger than 40
cm x 30 cm x 20 cm.
 Thermoelectric Generator

Power Source;
Hot Chamber -
1. The hot-side reactor chambers were filled with 336 g of CaO and 90 ml of water, which
initiated a chemical reaction to form calcium hydroxide.
2. The reaction is exothermic, hence the maximum temperature achieved was
approximately 90°C.
3. The reactor chambers were isolated using aluminium foil

Cold Chamber
1. The cold-side chamber was filled with a mixture of 200 g of NaCl and 600 g of ice.
2. A minimum temperature of –6.5°C was achieved.

The temperature gradient between the cold-side and hot-side chambers acted as the
power source or driving force to produce electricity. Eight thermoelectric generators
were placed between the cold-side chamber and the hot-side chambers, which
converted the temperature gradient into electrical power.

Voltage Profile
The voltage produced gradually decreased with time as the temperature of the hot chamber
decreased while that of the cold chamber increased.

For more information refer this blog

 Zinc-air battery

The car is an electrically propelled vehicle (EPV). Braking is controlled by the rate of a
separate chemical reaction, since according to the competition rules, no mechanical
breaking method is allowed.

A homemade zinc-air battery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcGWbt1mcrc) powers an

electric motor driving the rear axle. The car can run for a specific time and thus, a specific
distance, given by the kinetics of a chemical reaction which produces foam with a known and
controllable rate. The travel time is determined the produced foam volume.

Power source: The power source is a Zn-Air battery. Oxygen is collected from the
atmosphere with an air electrode, made by hot pressing a mixture of LDPE (Low Density Poly-
Ethylene), activated carbon, graphite and manganese dioxide. The zinc electrode is zinc sheet
metal. Electricity is generated through the reaction:

The chemical equations for the zinc–air cell are:

Anode: Zn + 4OH− → Zn(OH)42− + 2e− (E0 = －1.25 V)
Fluid: Zn(OH)42− → ZnO + H2O + 2OH−
Cathode: 1/2 O2 + H2O + 2e− → 2OH− (E0 = 0.34 V pH＝11)
Overall: 2Zn + O2 → 2ZnO (E0 = 1.59 V)

2Zn+O2 → 2ZnO

using KOH as the electrolyte. The electrolyte is contained within a sponge which is in contact
with both the electrodes. Multiple cells are used to achieve the necessary voltage to move the
motor.

Stopping mechanism: The stopping mechanism is based on a foam created and disrupting a
laser beam which is pointed from one side of the cylinder to the other. The reaction used is:

2H2O2(aq) → 2H2O(l)+O2(g)
https://youtu.be/sEgI4ZgB368
https://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/lessonplans/chapter6/lesson5
https://chem.rutgers.edu/cldf-demos/1019-cldf-demo-elephant-toothpaste
https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/0553a2a99fa44f65a8d626ab3fa2e915
https://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/chemistry/demonstrations/videos/the-steaming-gun/
steaming_gun2.pdf

The reaction is catalyzed using potassium iodide, and kitchen soap is used to trap the produced
oxygen and create a foam. Given the distance and the speed of the vehicle, the time that the
car has to move is calculated. Using experimental diagrams (foam height as a function of time),
the height the foam will reach in the time the vehicle must move can be calculated. A laser and
photoresistor are placed at that height. Two laser pointers are used and two photoresistors that
detect each beam. When the first beam is interrupted by the foam the car starts moving. When
the second beam is interrupted the car stops. This process is moderated by an Arduino Due
microcontroller.
 Aluminium-Air Batteries and More

Power Source: Aluminum-Air batteries or Al-Air batteries produce electricity from the reaction of
oxygen in the air with aluminium. A chemical reaction with b/w Al and salt water is oxidising Al
and creating electrons. Activated carbon provides a surface for air from the atmosphere to
reduce which requires electrons.

Reaction: 4Al + 3O2 + 6H2O → 4Al(OH)3 + 2.71 V.

Or

Zinc Manganese battery made from a solid zinc electrode and a slurry liquid containing the
manganese dioxide electrode and electrolytes. A separator is inserted between the two
electrodes. The cell has a graphite sheet to collect the current. Twelve cells are placed in series
to create a total of around 18 volts.

Reaction: Zn + 2MnO2 +2NH4Cl +H2O -> ZnCl+ Mn2O3+ NH4OH

Or

Calcium chloride dissolves in water and produces heat. This heat is transferred to aluminum
cells through conduction. The temperature difference between these cells and a reservoir
creates the current that powers the motor.

Stopping Mechanism: While the calcium chloride reaction drives the car, it’s the stopping
mechanism that steals the show. Easy Peasy grows peas in a closed container a few days prior
to the competition so that they germinate by competition time. Then, it’s on the peas to do the
heavy lifting. They work tirelessly to convert sugars into carbon dioxide through the Krebs Cycle.
The carbon dioxide they produce is key to the Chem-E-Car stopping. A sensor measures the
carbon dioxide concentration. This signal is sent to an Arduino circuit, which shuts off the
connection between the power and motor, stopping the car.