The role of the manganese dioxide is to oxidise the hydrogen and form water. The rate at which this occurs depends on the reactivity of the dioxide. Today a zinc can is used as the anode, and the cathode is a rod made of a mixture of acetylene carbon black surrounded by manganese dioxide. A paste of ammonium and zinc chloride is used for the electrolyte. The manganese dioxide, as has been noted, acts as the depolariser.
Potassium hydroxide serves as the electrolyte.
This type of cell has a very low resistance and impedance, giving under certain conditions greater service life than the standard cell. Another cell used for specific purposes is the magnesium chloride-manganese dioxide cell developed for military applications. Improved manganese dioxide grades required in high performance cells are obtained synthetically. The products are named after the processes used. Combined production of both synthetic types is approximately 200 thousand tons per year, and is growing rapidly.