DIVISION OF PASIG CITY NAGPAYONG HIGH SCHOOL Centennial II Nagpayong, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City
CIGARETTE BUTT: A FUTURE VOLTAIC CELL
An Official Entry to the Division Science Fair Investigatory Project APPLED SCIENCE CATEGORY (INDIVIDUAL)
Christine D. Tumampil Project Investigator
Amy Lynn C. Magdasoc Project Adviser
Florencia T. Laxamana Principal II
TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE ABSTRACT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Statement of Hypotheses Conceptual Framework of the Study Significance of the Study Scope and Delimitations of the Study Definition of Terms
II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES What is a Cigarette? Cigarette Butt Cellulose Cellulose Acetate Pyrolysis Carbonization
Voltaic Cell III
METHODOLOGY Method of Research Used Materials Procedures Statistical Treatment of Data
IV
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA Results of Test
V
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Conclusion Recommendation
BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES A. Documentation B. Computation
ABSTRACT The world we live in is blessed with various kinds of natural resources but it is now ruined and faced with different environmental problems mainly caused by the pollution brought by large amounts of CFC, carbon dioxide, oil leaks, and other kinds of pollutants. Cigarettes have great part on this issue. Each year, trillions of cigrette butts are tossed out on the ground . No matter how small they are, when combined together, they can bring great harm to animals, plants, humans, and the environment. Realizing the danger that they can bring us, we looked for a way on how to reduce the great number of cigarette butt by transforming it into something that will benefit us. This study utilized the experimental method of research to test the
effectiveness of
cigarette butt voltaic cell in storing energy. It answers the following questions: (1)Can cigarette butt stores energy? (2)Is cigarette butt eco-voltaic cell more efficient than commercialized cell in storing energy? ( 3)Is there a significant difference between the cigarette butt eco-voltaic cell and commercialized cell? In preparing this study, used cigarette butts were collected and the paper cover was removed. The cigarette butts were burned using denatured alcohol. After cooling the carbon residue, it was wrapped by a carbon filter. This served as the cathode of the voltaic cell. It was put inside a container with salt solution that served as the electrolyte. After 15 and 30 minutes, a multitester was connected to measure the voltage. Then, the measured voltage reading between a
cigarette butt voltaic cell and commerciallized cell was compared. The results showed that cigarette butt can be used as a future voltaic cell. Based from the analysis of data, the following results
were recorded and
verified:(1)Cigarette butt can store energy.(2)Cigarette butt voltaic cell is more efficient than commercialized cell in storing energy and (3)There is a significant difference between the cigarette butt voltaic cell and a commercialized cell. Based from the results, it is thereby concluded that cigarette butt can be used as a voltaic cell that can store energy. It is recommended for further studies and researches should be done in order to create solutions to the worsening condition of our environment.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This Investigatory Project is made possible through the efforts of the following persons who in one way or another had made this project successful. To my Parents, for their undying love, support and care; To our Principal, Ms. Florencia T. Laxamana, who supported me all the way until my dreamed project came into reality; To the Science Coordinator Mrs. RubiAnn G. Salen, and Science Teachers, for their views, opinion and encouragement; To my Science Investigatory Project (SIP) adviser, Mrs. Amy Lynn C. Magdasoc for her trust, motivation, encouragement, comments and suggestions; To Mrs. Ginalyn P. Bramaje, for spending time and effort for critiquing my research project; To my classmates, in IV-Galileo, to my friends, for the inspiration and faith in us to make this project possible; Most of all, the Almighty God for the blessings and guidance for without thee, this will never be achieved. Christine D. Tumampil
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION This chapter presents the background of the study, the statement of the problem, statement of the hypotheses, the significance of the study and its scope and delimitation. Background of the Study
Lofty mountain peaks, deep ocean valleys, and majestic waterfalls, these are just proofs that our Creator has richly endowed us with all the resources that we need . But because of our unquenchable thirst for advancement,we become so preoccupied, looking for ways on how to reach the milestones of modernization. As a result, we become callous to the chaos and catastrophe brought by the challenge to improve.
Reality reveals that
our country is faced with insurmountable problems. Energy
shortage is just one of the devastating news that is delivered to us over the television, radio, and newspapers. One of the major reasons why this crisis for energy occurs is the depletion of natural resources.This is mainly caused by the pollution brought by CFC, large amounts of carbon dioxide, oil leaks, and other water pollutants. Among these, litters cannot be exempted.
In Manila, Philippines over 17 million Filipino smokers around the country ( Philippine Daily Inquirer,2010).
Cigarette butts have been ranked by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the second highest polluter in the Philippines due to the sheer volume of butts littering practically every sidewalk and main roads in the country. It does not only ruin the body but also causes of environmental problems that we face.
Cigarette filters littered take years to decompose at the rate being thrown away. Over 4.5 trillion filter-tipped cigarettes contributed to a large amount of discarded plastic. Its toxicity affects children and animals and leads to a higher cost of municipal waste.
This study aimed to recycle the used cigarette butt where in it determined how a cigarette butt can store electrical energy.It also aimed to determine the energy storing effeciency from a commercialized cell.
Statement of the Problem This study aimed to make used cigarette butts as a voltaic cell that can store energy.It answers the following questions: (1) Can cigarette butt stores energy? (2)Is cigarette butt voltaic cell more efficient than a commercialized cell in storing energy? ( 3)Is there a significant difference between the cigarette butt voltaic cell and commercialized cell?
Statement of Hypotheses Ha: Cigarette butt can store energy. Ho:Cigarette butt cannot store energy. Ha:Cigarette butt voltaic cell is more efficient than commercialized cell in storing energy. Ho:Cigarette butt voltaic cell is less efficient than commercialized cell
in storing energy. Ha:There is a significant difference between cigarette butt voltaic cell and commercialized cell. Ho: There is no significant difference between cigarette butt voltaic cell and commercialized cell. Conceptual Framework Realizing the effeciency of cigarette butt as a voltaic cell to store energy, this study used the conceptual model shown in figures below. Input
Process
Supplies and materials used in cigarette butt voltaic cell Related Literature and Studies ( Cigarette Butt andVoltaic Cell)
Designing and Construction of cigarette butt ecovoltaic cell through series of experimentation Gathering and Interpretation of Data
Output
Energy Storing Capacity of Cigarette Butt Efficiency of cigarette butt ecovoltaic cell Significant Difference Cigarette butt voltaic cell and Commercialized cell
The diagram shows the different stages in conducting the effeciency of cigarette butt voltaic cell. It follows the different stages.
Significance of the Study This study is significant because of the benefits that it could offer to the following groups: Government. This study will give information to provide waste receptacles, and to support and provide every need of projects which benefit our country. Smokers. This study will remind them of the danger brought by cigarettes. Student. This study will inspired them to improve the condition of our environment in their own simple ways. Teachers. This study will encourage students to make researches that can help solve the difficulties that our country faces Community. This study will informed the various environmental concerns that our country faces because of pollution caused by cigarette butt litters. People. This study will urge them to be part of the solution to these problems, not just unmindful citizens, comfortable inspite of the worsening condition of our environment. Future Researchers. This study will serve as a basis to another researchers that involves the techniques of their field of specialization. This research can be a source of meaningful ideas that can answer the future problems. Scope and Delimitations of the Study This study focused in using used cigarette butt as a voltaic cell that aimed to store energy. It used a cigarette butts as the carbon-based material in a voltaic cell.
This study was conducted inside the Science Laboratory within the school premises in the vicinity of Pasig City. Definition of Terms For better understanding, the following unfamiliar words used in the study are defined below: Cigarette Butt refers to a small part of a cigarette that is left after smoking. It is made up of cellulose acetate. Cellulose Acetate refers to acetate ester of cellulose. It is present in the cigarette butt. Carbon-based Material refers to an organic residue left after burning process or pyrolysis. This served as an cathode of the voltaic cell. Pyrolysis refers to a decomposition process of cigarette butt to produce a carbo-based material. Iron filings refers to a small pieces of iron that look like a light powder. Filings are mostly a byproduct of the grinding, filing, or milling of finished iron products so it have been a waste product. In this, it served as the anode of a cell. (http:www.wordnik.com/words/iron%20fillings) Voltaic Cell refers to a carbon-based cell that can store energy. Commercialized Cell. Refers to an electrochemical cell (or enclosed and protected material) that can be charged electrically to provide a static potential for power or released
electrical charge when needed. Common types are the Zinc-Air, Flooded Lead Acid, Lithium-ion and Alkaline batteries. Copper refers to a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; a freshly exposed surface has a reddish-orange color. It is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, a building material, and a constituent of various metal alloys.It is used as a connecting wire of the circuit. Electrolyte refers to the compound that produces solution of ions and conducts electricity in water. Such as soluble salts, acids, and bases. (McLaughlin, 2010:45) Salt solution or Sodium chloride refers to an ionic compound with the formula NaCl, representing equal proportions of sodium and chlorine. This will serve as the electrolyte of the voltaic cell.
CHAPTER II
Review of Related Literature What is a cigarette? A cigarette is a thin paper for smoking which is small cylinder with leaves of tobacco. It is ignited and inhaled from one end to another end. A filtered cigarettes with constituted tobacco
and
some
additives
are
the
most
modern
manufactured
cigarettes.
(http://encyclopine.org/en/Cigarette#Cigarette_litter) Cigarette is intentionally engineered to deliver nicotine to the brain in seconds where in tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Most of them are carcinogens were naturally produced by pyrolysis or burning, come from the soil, paper in the tobacco column and during the manufacturing process. All in all, these chemicals when burned and inhaled are transported to different organs in the human body. Cigarette Butt
The inner most cigarette filters -- the part that looks like white cotton, is actually a form of plastic called cellulose acetate. By itself, cellulose acetate is very slow to degrade in our environment. It takes 18 months to 10 years for a cigarette filter to decompose, depending on the area when it is discarded.
Used cigarette filters are full of toxins known as tar, which leaches the ground and waterways, damaging living organisms that contact them. In addition, most filters are discarded with bits of tobacco still attached to them which further pollute our environment with nicotine.
Furthermore, cigarette filters were designed to absorb some of the toxins in cigarette smoke and collect solid particles known as tar. They are also intended to keep tobacco from entering the smoker's mouth.Most cigarette filters contain a core of cellulose acetate and two layers of wrapping that are made of paper and/or rayon.
Cellulose acetate fibers in a cigarette filter contains more than 12,000 of these fibers which are thinner than sewing thread. (http://www.jeffreywigand.com/cigarette.php) Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. It is an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants, many forms of algae and the oomycetes. Some species of bacteria secrete cellulose to form biofilms. It is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. The cellulose content of cotton fiber is 90%, that of wood is 40–50% and that of dried hemp is approximately 45%. It is mainly used to produce paperboard and paper.
Cellulose is a biodegrable substance which has no taste, odorless and hydrophilic with the contact angle of 20-30, insoluble in water and most organic solvents. By the application of concentrated acids at high temperature it can be broken down into glucose units.
Cellulose Acetate
Cellulose acetate a cellulose acetate ester. The first preparation was done last 1865. It is used in the photography as a film base, coatings of some component and for eyeglasses as frame materials. And also used as a fiber in the production of cigarette filter.
Pyrolysis Pyrolysis is type of application that chemically decomposes organic material by heat in the absence of oxygen.It is typically occurs under pressure and at operating temperatures above 430 Ic (800iF). In practice, it is not possible to achieve a completely oxygen-free atmosphere. Due to the presence of some oxygen, a small amount of oxidation occurs in any pyrolysis system.Furthermore, thermal desorption also occur in volatile or semi-volatile materials. (http: www.cpeo.org/techtree/ttdescript/pyrols.html) Carbonization Carbonization (or carbonisation) just like pyrolysis in which organic organic substance converted into a carbon or a carbon-containing residue. It is used for generation of coal gas and coal tar from raw coal. Another is fossil fuels from the carbonization of vegetable matter. Voltaic cell A voltaic cell is an electrochemical cell that uses a chemical reaction to produce electrical energy. The important parts of a voltaic cell are anode and cathode. The anode is an electrode where oxidation occurs. The cathode is an electrode where reduction occurs. The battery is the most popular material which is Carbon. It has a low cost, high surface area, high electrical conductivity and long-term stability. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140805091121.html)
According to Yi (2014), used cigarette can boost up power devices. They were able to transform cigarette filters as one of the most hazardous litters around the world to a very useful
material that can boost up power devices. They found out that the carbon-based material is used to boost up power devices. This study is the same in using the cigarette butt. The difference in this study is the objective which aimed to detemine if cigarette can stores energy and the methods used.
Another powerful breakthrough related to this study is the investigation conducted by Sigrid M. Valencia, Ernest Lowie T. Calilung, and Nicole B. Santos on Improvised Dry Cell Battery from Domestic Wastes (2010) . They compared the llife duration of a calculator and a wall clock with 1.5 V of decayed domestic waste to a calculator and a wall clock with 1.5 V branded battery. They found out that there was no significant difference on the life duration between the 1.5 V branded batteries and the 1.5 V series domestic wastes. The result showed the potential of domestic waste to be a new, free, environment- friendly source of energy. The study of Valencia et al. is similar to this study in improvisation of cell and correlating it to a commercialized cell. The difference is the design and construction of the cell. This study used a cigarette butt while they used a domestic wastes.
In the study of Zhang (2014) about a sugar-powered fuel cell. They found out an excellent source of energy which is from sucking down cans of Coke and masticating on candy, sugar — glucose, fructose, sucrose, dextrose. This study is the same in improvisation of cell.The difference of this study is using a cigarette butt where in the cellulose acetate is converted to carbon-based material that served as an cathode of the cell. While the previous study used an organic material ,enzyme , as an cathode of the cell.
Furthermore from the study of Kevin John R. Magbaton, Mark Anthony M. Coronu, Danica B. Coronu (2010), entitled ZnC- BFruit Battery. They found out that fruit batteries can
be used as an alternative to disposable batteries. They were able to generate 1.7V for a single cell and 8.4 V for 6 cells in series connections. This study is similar in focussing on the improvisation of a cell but different in materials used. This study used a cigarette butt while the previous study used fruits to make a battery.
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY This chapter consists of the method of research used, materials used, data gathering procedures, and statistical treatment of data. Method of Research Used This study utilized experimental type of research in order to achieve its main objective, which is to determine if cigarette butt can store energy. According to Calderon (2012), experimental method involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause changes in another variable. Materials These are the materials used to determine if cigarette butt voltaic cell can store energy: used 1kg cigarette butts, copper wires, 50g salt waters,50g iron fillings, 2 pieces of alligator clips, weighing scale, denatured alcohol, 1 piece of multi tester, filter paper, match, bottled water,2 pieces of LED bulbs and 1 piece of commercialized carbon battery. Procedures (1) The used cigarette butts were collected on the street. (2) Paper cover of cigarette butts were removed. (3) The used cigarette butts were burned using a denatured alcohol. (4) After 15 minutes burning, the carbon-based material left was cooled. (5) An electrode using an iron fillings and carbon-based material from the cigarette butts were prepared.
(6) The iron fillings and carbon-based material were wrapped using a filter paper. (7) The two electrodes with copper wire were put inside the bottled water. (8) A 25g of salt in each bottle was added and waited 15 minutes and other bottle for 30 minutes to dissolve the salt. (9) After 15 minutes and 30 minutes, a multitester was connected to each electrode. The voltage reading was measured and recorded. (10). Step 9 was repeated three times. (11).LED bulb was connected to the carbon commercialized battery and the voltage reading was measured and recorded by multitester.The brightness of the LED bulb was observed. (12).The carbon commercialized battery was connected to a multitester to measure and record the voltage reading. (13). Step 11 was repeated for three times. (14). LED bulb was connected to the carbon commercialized battery and the voltage reading was measured and recorded by multitester.The brightness of the LED bulb was observed. (15). The voltage reading and brigthness of the LED bulb with carbon commercialized battery and cigarette butt voltaic cell were compared.
Statistical Treatment of Data The statistical tools used in this study are the following: (1) Using a average weighted mean and percentage to determine the storing energy. (2) Using a Pearson r, to determine the significant difference between cigarette butt voltaic cell and commercialized cell.
CHAPTER IV
Presentation and Analysis of Data Systematic methods and processes were conducted in order to obtain the results regarding the efficiency of cigarette butt as a voltaic cell in storing energy.Presented below are the findings.The given data below are based from the experiments that we conducted. Results of Tests A. Voltage Reading using an Iron Fillings and Cigarette Butt Salt was dissolved for 15 minutes Table 1
Trial
Voltage Reading Volts(V)
Average
1
1
2
.8
3
.88 0.89
Table 1 shows the results of using cigarette butt voltaic cell, where in the the salt was dissolved for 15 minutes.Based on this table, it shows that the voltage reading has an average of 0.89 volts.
B.Voltage Reading using an Iron Fillings and Cigarette Butt Salt was dissolved for 30 minutes Table 2
Trial 1
Voltage Reading Volts(V) .075
2
.0775
3
.0775
Average
0.23
Table 2 shows the results of using cigarette butt voltaic cell, where in the the salt was dissolved for 30 minutes. Based on this table, it shows that the voltage reading has an average of 0.23 volts. Based from Table 1 & 2, cigarette butt voltaic cell can store electrical energy. The voltage reading will depend to the length of time where the salt was dissolved.
C.Voltage Reading using TWO Cigarette Butt Voltaic Cell With LED bulb Table 3 Trial
Voltage Reading 1st Cell 1
1
Voltage Reading 2nd Cell .9
Total Voltage Reading 1.9
2
.80
.70
1.5
3
.88
.86
1.74
Average
2.68
2.46
2.57
Table 3, shows the voltage reading of using two cigarette butt voltaic cell. It shows that measured average voltage is 2.57 volts. D.Comparison of Voltage Reading Between a Cigarette butt voltaic cell and Commercialized battery with LED bulb
Table 4 Trial
Voltage Reading
Voltage Reading
1
(Cigarette Butt Voltaic Cell) (V) 1.9
(Commercialized Battery) (V) 1.5
2
1.5
1.4
3
1.74
1.4
Average
1.7
1.4
Legend: The higher the voltage, the brighter the light.
Table 4, shows the comparison of voltage reading using a cigarette butt voltaic cell and commercialized battery with LED bulb.It shows that the bulb glow brighter using a cigarette butt voltaic cell (1.7 volts) compared to a commercialized battery (1.4volts).
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion The cigarette butt voltaic cell made can store electrical energy. Based on the results and observations, the following conclusions were presented. 1. The used cigarette butts can store electrical energy. 2. The cigarette butt voltaic cell is more effecient than a commercialized battery. 3. The cigarette butt voltaic cell has a significant difference from a commercialized battery in storing electrical energy. Recommendation Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendation are suggested:
1. To test the cigarette butt voltaic cell with a greater amount of used cigarette butts. 2. To test a higher temperature in burning the used cigarette butt,and other compound as electrolyte. 3. To test the efficiency of the voltaic cell by connecting it to other devices.
BIBLIOGRAPHY A.
Books McLaughlin, Charles William, 2010.”Tennese Physical Science, McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Calderon, Jose F. and Gonzales Expectation C. 2012.Methods of Research and Thesis Writing ,National Bookstore Inc., Revised Edition.
B.
Magazines and Journals Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2010. Magbaton, Kevin John R. et al., 2010. “Zinc-Bfruit Battery”. Yi, Jeonghep, 2014.”Cigarette butt Powered Gadgets”, Seoul University, South Korea Valencia, Sigrid M. 2010.Improvised-dry-cell-battery-from-domestic wastes&catid=24:physics&Itemid=45. Zhang, Percival 2010. Sugar-powered-biobattery-has-10-times-the-energy-storage-oflithium-your-smartphone-might-soon-run-on-enzymes.
C.
Websites (http:www.wordnik.com/words/iron%20fillings) (http://encyclopine.org/en/Cigarette#Cigarette_litter) (http: www.cpeo.org/techtree/ttdescript/pyrols.html) (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140805091121.html) (http://www.jeffreywigand.com/cigarette.php)
(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140805091121.html) (http://encyclopine.org/en/Cigarette#Cigarette_litter)
APPENDICES A. Documentation Materials
Burning of used cigarette butts
Series of Experimentations
Measuring the voltage
B. Computation EX=1.7 EY=1.4 E
2.89
E
1.96
EXY=2.38
R=
n EXY- EX EY (√n E
EX) (n(E
EY)
r= 0.72 The correlation coefficient is a number between a positive and negative. This number tells us about the magnitude and direction of the association between two variables. The cigarette butt voltaic cell has a significant difference from commercialized battery.
Pasig City Discovery Centrum and Library Learning Resources Center Caruncho Avenue Pasig City
Pasig City Discovery Centrum and Library Learning Resources Center Caruncho Avenue Pasig City
NAGPAYONG LIBRARY Centennial II, Nagpayong Pinagbuhatan Pasig City