Driven by the need to access higher energy densities beyond those offered by Li-ion batteries, rechargeable Mg batteries have been receiving increased interests. Although Mg metal is not competitive with Li metal on both specific capacity (2205 mAh g-1 vs. 3862 mAh g-1 for lithium) and redox potential levels (-2.3 V compared to -3.0 V for Li vs. NHE), it was found to be non-dendritic. In addition, Mg metal has a high volumetric capacity (3833 vs. 2046 mAh cm-3 for Li), and offers an opportunity for battery cost reductions owing its abundance in the earth crust (5th most abundant element). However, several technical challenges that hamper realizing practical rechargeable Mg batteries are currently present. For example, the absence of robust and practical high voltage/high capacity cathodes currently limits the energy density which could be harnessed using these systems. [1] . This is in addition to the absence of practical electrolytes that are compatible with Mg battery components. [1] We have been pioneering the development of a new family of electrolytes that created highly performing Mg salts that allowed overcoming several key challenges in these batteries [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Herein, we will explain the status of magnesium batteries and highlight cases where the use of appropriate analytical tools resulted in critical new understanding of these complex systems.

Towards understanding and enabling magnesium batteries

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.