What material determines the voltage produced by a cell?

The voltage produced by a cell is primarily determined by the materials that make up the cell, particularly the anode and cathode materials as well as the electrolyte. Different materials have different electrochemical properties, which dictate their ability to donate or accept electrons during the chemical reactions that occur in the cell.

For example, lithium-based cells generate a higher voltage than alkaline cells because lithium has a higher standard electrode potential compared to the materials used in alkaline batteries. The differences in reactivity and potential between these materials directly result in the voltage output of the cell.

While factors like the surface area of the electrodes, the temperature of the environment, and the design of the cell can influence performance characteristics such as current capacity, efficiency, and internal resistance, they do not fundamentally change the intrinsic voltage determined by the materials themselves.