Fatal Impurity for Electrochemical Mg Deposition/Dissolution

Abstract

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) are promising large-scale stationary energy storage devices. A manufacturing system similar to that used for lithium-ion batteries should be adoptable to the fabrication of RMBs. However, the compatibility of RMB components with atmospheric components other than moisture has not been studied yet. This might be due to the uncertain preconception and misunderstanding of the passivation characteristics of magnesium. In this study, we investigated the effects of atmospheric conditions on the electrochemical dissolution–deposition behavior of magnesium in non-aqueous electrolytes.1 The compatibility of magnesium metal and electrolytes incorporating air-stable weakly-coordinated anions [B(HFIP)4]− or [Al(HFIP)4]− (HFIP: hexafluoro-iso-propoxyl) with dry air was investigated. The results of a simple cyclic voltammetry (CV) clearly demonstrate the far excessive care of magnesium metals against atmospheric O2, because reversible magnesium deposition/dissolution is possible using magnesium metals polished under dry air. However, cells assembled under a dry-air atmosphere show no features of electrochemical magnesium deposition/dissolution. To identify which component of a dry air has a significant detrimental effect on the electrochemical characteristics, systematic CV and open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements were conducted under certain atmospheric conditions with Ar, N2, and O2 and an air-tight voltammetry cell equipped with gas-inlet lines. The platinum and magnesium working electrodes show characteristic responses dependent on the inlet gases, and O2 gas is found to be detrimental for the electrochemical activities of magnesium (Figure 1). The time-profile of OCP and that of O2 content in the electrolyte under steady flow of O2 gas are correlated well, suggesting passivation of magnesium metal upon uptake of O2 in the electrolyte. The electrochemical impedance spectra of symmetric magnesium metal cells using oxygenated and deoxygenated electrolytes and X-ray photoelectron spectra further corroborate inactivation of magnesium by even miniscule amount, ca., 10 ppm, of O2 impurity. Acknowledgement This work was financially supported by the Advanced Low-Carbon Technology-Specially Promoted Research for Innovative Next Generation Batteries Program (ALCA-SPRING, Grant Number JPMJAL1301), NEXT Center of Innovation Program (COI-NEXT, Grant Number JPMJPF2016) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and KAKENHI (Grant No. 21K05263) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Reference T. Mandai and M. Watanabe, under revision. Figure 1