Synthesis of magnesium chloride complex electrolyte: Galvanic couple assisted catalytic dissolution of magnesium in ethereal solution

Abstract

Herein, we reveal the critical role of CrCl3 and the mechanism for the synthesis of magnesium chloride complex (MaCC), an advanced conditioning-free electrolyte for rechargeable magnesium batteries. This involves a catalytic dissolution of Mg metal by nanoscale bimetallic galvanic couples in an ethereal solution: At the initial stage, nanoscale amorphous Cr-rich ‘islands’ form on Mg surface, creating numerous Cr-Mg galvanic couples. These Cr-rich islands act as local cathodic sites due to partial electron transfer from Mg metal substrate. Furthermore, the first-principles calculation shows that Al prefers to bind at Cr-rich regions rather than Mg. These trigger a heterogeneous catalysis for the selective deposition of Al on Cr-rich islands and a dramatic increase in the dissolution rate of Mg metal on the neighboring region. This leads to an ultrahigh Mg2+-to-Al3+ concentration ratio in the resultant solution, a key property of the conditioning-free electrolyte. This study is potentially applicable to many other fields like metal-air batteries and corrosion protection of metals, where a subtle manipulation of passive layer is required.