Magnesium Metal Research Articles

Phase-field simulation of interface growth of magnesium metal anodes during electrodeposition

Mg-metal has abundant reserves and extremely high-volume capacity, making it an excellent choice as the negative electrode for low-cost, high-volume energy-density batteries. More and more studies have shown that there is still a problem of dendritic growth in Mg-metal. Here, we use the open-source MOOSE software package to establish a phase-field model for Mg-electrodeposition and study the dynamic morphological evolution of the growth of Mg-metal anode interfaces under different overpotentials in two dimensions. By studying the temporal-spatial distributions of ion concentration, chemical potential, and electric potential, we analyze the growth processes of Mg-metal anode interfaces under different applied overpotentials in detail. The results show that the Mg-metal anode interfaces only grow dendrites under applied overpotentials ranging from −0.24 to −0.30 V because the interface electrochemical reactions rate is greater than the interface ion transfer rate.

WITHDRAWN: A life cycle analysis on magnesium production processes: Energy consumption, carbon emission and economics

Magnesium is widely used in manufacturing industry because of its excellent physical and chemical properties and has its increasing demand due to environmental requirements. China, as the world s biggest producer and exporter of metallic magnesium, produces metallic magnesium in its western provinces through the silico-thermic process known as the Pidgeon process. However, there are few metallic magnesium plants in eastern China, especially in Liaoning province where magnesite is rich in reserves. The short supply of magnesium has limited the growth of the magnesium casting industry and the local magnesite industry. Under the carbon market established to face the challenges of climate change, how to choose an economical and feasible route for magnesium production, is a key factor to determine the development of magnesium industry in Liaoning. In this paper, life cycle analysis models are developed to study the energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and economics from cradle to gate for six different metal magnesium production processes using data accounting for different geographical environments, process equipment, and energy supply pathways based on the Chinese Life Cycle Database (CLCD). The influence of carbon trading prices on economic performance of the six processes is also investigated. Compared with the current process widely used in China, the new magnesium production technology using Liaoning s abandoned magnesite as raw material and the coke oven gas from steelworks as fuel showed the best economic performance in terms of cost for greenhouse gas emissions.

Stir casting technology for fabrication of biodegradable magnesium metal matrix composites containing different percentages of hydroxyapatite reinforcement material for biomedical purposes

Due to the superior biocompatibility and strength of magnesium and its alloys compared to other metallic alloys, such as those used in orthopaedics as a bone-implant material, they have recently been considered a breakthrough material for biomedical applications. However, before tissues have fully adjusted to the high chloride environment and physiological pH range of the physiological system, pure magnesium might lose its mechanical integrity. Therefore, it is believed that the development of magnesium matrix composites is an approach to decrease corrosion rates and improve their mechanical properties that are similar to those of natural bone. They are not required to be taken out once the wound has entirely healed because they are biodegradable as well, which might reduce the need for additional surgeries in the future. The stir casting technique has been employed in this workto produce samples of magnesium-based biodegradable metal matrix composites, referred to as M2H (Magnesium & 2.0 wt% Hydroxyapatite powder) and M4H (Magnesium & 4.0 wt% Hydroxyapatite powder), with varying amounts of hydroxyapatite powder as a reinforcement material. In this worktensile test samples (M2H-T1,T2 & M4H-T1,T2) andcompression test samples (M2H-C1,C2,C3& M4H-C1,C2,C3,C4)along with microstructural and SEM test samples (M2H-MS & M4H-MS)were prepared and cut to a suitable shape and size in accordance with ASTM standards. This paper mainly focuses on the samples preparation for mechanical testing and SEM characterisation.

Uniform nanoplating of metallic magnesium film on titanium dioxide nanotubes as a skeleton for reversible Na metal anode

Uniform nanoplating of metallic magnesium film on titanium dioxide nanotubes as a skeleton for reversible Na metal anode

Some aspects of thermochemical method of bottom-hole zones processing application in the «White Tiger» oil field

The article describes the scope of the thermochemical method of bottom-hole formation zones treatment, the thermal methods classification and their effectiveness, various types of formation thermal treatment (heat-steam heating, hot water, water vapor, gas-water mixtures, various chemical compositions injection, etc.). The physicochemical essence of thermochemical action for the purpose of the bottom-hole formation zone treating by a thermochemical composition based on magnesium metal powder, hydrochloric acid, and other auxiliary materials to increase the productivity of the «White Tiger» deposit wells is considered in detail. Keywords: bottomhole formation zones treatment; sand collector; thermal effect; exothermic reaction; dewaxing; productive zone; bottomhole formation zone.

A comprehensive health risk assessment associated with bioaccumulation of heavy metals and nutrients in selected macrophytes of Loktak Lake, Manipur, India.

The Loktak Lake, a Ramsar site in Northeast India, is known for its rich biodiversity that includes a variety of macrophyte species, most of which have not been studied for their phytoremediation capacities and potential toxicity via consumption of the edible species. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment was conducted to evaluate the accumulation of selected heavy metals and nutrients in 10 dominant macrophyte species growing in Loktak Lake and to assess the potential health risks associated with consumption of the edible plants. The concentrations of nutrients such as total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and heavy metals such as copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) were found to be in the order of plant > sediment > water. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) revealed high efficiency of most plants to accumulate heavy metals and nutrients in their tissues from the lake water and sediments, indicating their potential to be used as phytoremediators. Translocation factors (TFs) were also estimated to determine the efficiency of the plants to translocate elements from root to shoot. Colocasia esculenta and Polygonum perfoliatum exhibited the highest BAF values, whereas Colocasia esculenta, Hedychium flavum, Phragmites karka, and Oenanthe javanica exhibited the highest TF values for most elements. Target hazard quotients (THQs) revealed potential health risks associated with one or more heavy metals in the plants, except for Zn, whose THQ values were below the level of concern in all the edible plant species. The hazard index (HI) signifying potential non-carcinogenic health risk from the combined effects of all the heavy metals was highest for Polygonum perfoliatum, indicating a potentially higher risk to health if this edible macrophyte is regularly consumed in higher quantities and may pose long-term health effects to the exposed population.

SURFACE MODIFICATION AND SURFACE COMPOSITES DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES FOR BIOCOMPATIBLE AND BIODEGRADABLE ALLOYS

The degradation control of implants has now become a most critical factor for investigation. The rapid degradation or uncontrolled degradation of metals causes allergic reaction and implants failure. The biocompatibility and biodegradability of biometals are essential properties for the development of bioimplants. The biodegradation is the chemical reaction of implants metal with the surrounding body fluids. The gradual dilution of metal oxide with the body fluid is considered as a degradation. Magnesium, zinc, and iron metals are biodegradable metals. The biodegradability of as-cast metals is not capable of fulfilling the need of patients, therefore, degradation of implants is required to be in control. Many more research articles have been published on improvement of corrosion resistive implant surface by coating, passivation oxide layer, plasma spraying, electropolishing, blasting, chemical etching, laser treatment, heat treatment, severe plastic deformation (SPD), alloying, and development of surface composites. This paper critically reviewed the surface modification and surface composite fabrication techniques to improve the biodegradability, biocompatibility, and strength of implants.

Research on the Current Application Status of Magnesium Metal Stents in Human Luminal Cavities.

The human body comprises various tubular structures that have essential functions in different bodily systems. These structures are responsible for transporting food, liquids, waste, and other substances throughout the body. However, factors such as inflammation, tumors, stones, infections, or the accumulation of substances can lead to the narrowing or blockage of these tubular structures, which can impair the normal function of the corresponding organs or tissues. To address luminal obstructions, stenting is a commonly used treatment. However, to minimize complications associated with the long-term implantation of permanent stents, there is an increasing demand for biodegradable stents (BDS). Magnesium (Mg) metal is an exceptional choice for creating BDS due to its degradability, good mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. Currently, the Magmaris® coronary stents and UNITY-BTM biliary stent have obtained Conformité Européene (CE) certification. Moreover, there are several other types of stents undergoing research and development as well as clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the required degradation cycle and the specific properties (anti-inflammatory effect, antibacterial effect, etc.) of BDS in different lumen areas based on the biocompatibility and degradability of currently available magnesium-based scaffolds. We also offer potential insights into the future development of BDS.

To Be or Not to Be – Is MgSc2Se4 a Mg‐Ion Solid Electrolyte?

AbstractMagnesium batteries offer promising potential as next‐generation sustainable energy‐storage solutions due to the high theoretical capacity of the magnesium metal anode. Facilitating dendrite‐free operation of metal anodes necessitates the development of solid electrolytes with high magnesium‐ion conductivity. While the chalcogenide spinel MgSc2Se4 is predicted to exhibit high magnesium ion mobility, unequivocal experimental evidence for magnesium ion conduction beyond short‐range motion is still missing. This study confirms magnesium‐ion transport in MgSc2Se4 through two independent electrochemical methods: electrochemical deposition of magnesium metal and reversible magnesium plating/stripping cycling. To overcome the difficulty of measuring the ionic conductivity of the mixed conducting MgSc2Se4 spinel, a pure ion conducting interlayer is employed in a symmetric transference cell. This approach effectively suppresses the electron transport, allowing accurate characterization of the ionic conductivity. The experimental results confirm a low migration barrier of (386 ± 24) meV for magnesium ion transport in MgSc2Se4 and demonstrate one of the best performances at room temperature among the reported inorganic magnesium solid electrolytes. The findings open a new door for exploring additional mixed magnesium ion conductors and highlight the potential of magnesium chalcogenide spinels as a promising class of magnesium solid electrolytes.

Exploring the mechanical, metallurgical, and fracture characteristics of hybrid-reinforced magnesium metal matrix composite synthesized via friction stir processing route

Low-cost hybrid-reinforced magnesium metal matrix composite (HMMC) materials present a revolutionary category of materials achieved by combining two or more distinct reinforcing elements within the magnesium (Mg) matrix. The main focus of this research is to fabricate Mg-based HMMCs with exceptional mechanical and other characteristics by utilizing Mg substrate AZ61A as the base material. To achieve this, nano-titanium carbide (TiC), nano-silicon carbide (SiC), and fly ash (FA) were selected as hybrid reinforcements, and the friction stir processing technique was employed for their incorporation. The microstructural, thermal, mechanical, wear, and fracture properties of synthesized HMMCs were carefully examined using a conventional testing approach. The findings demonstrate that the grain size of the base AZ61A alloy was measured at 32 µm, whereas the AZ61A/FA/TiC/SiC composite exhibited a remarkable reduction to 3.5 µm. Notably, this reduction in grain size leads to simultaneous enhancement in mechanical properties. The microhardness, ultimate tensile strength, and ultimate compressive strength of the developed HMMC showed an impressive increase, measuring 2.09 times, 2.75 times, and 2.10 times higher, respectively, compared to their initial values of the base material. Moreover, a significant enhancement in wear resistance was also observed, attributed to the increased hardness and homogenous hybrid reinforcement dispersion into the HMMCs. In addition, it was evident that the synergistic combination of different reinforcement particulates in Mg-based alloy improves overall fracture resistance and catastrophic failure and mitigates crack propagation.

Exploring the effects of self-lubricating MoS2 in magnesium metal matrix composite: Investigation on wear, corrosion, and mechanical properties

The prime focus of this experimentation is to develop a lightweight self-lubricating surface composite with superior wear resistance. This article inquires into the consequences of Molybdenum di Sulphide (MoS2) for its 2, 4, and 6 vol% dispersion on magnesium surface by applying friction stir processing (FSP). The prepared composites were analysed for their microstructure, mechanical, and wear characteristics. The observation of the microstructure reveals the smaller grain size as a result crystallization process occurring during FSP and the uniform dispersion of reinforced particles. The surface composite shows a growing tendency in its hardness which can be assumed as the outcome of the reduced grain size and reinforcement dispersion. On the other hand, the developed composite exhibited lower tensile characteristics than the base matrix. The composite shows constructive enhancement in wear resistance with the increase in the vol% of MoS2 particles whereas the increase in load increases the wear rate. The value of the corrosion rate is decreased up to 60 % with 2 % reinforcement addition whereas further addition resulted in a higher corrosion rate.

Association of maternal metals exposure, metabolites and birth outcomes in newborns: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundMaternal exposure to metals may pose a risk to the health of newborns, however, the underlying mechanisms remain ambiguous. Herein, we aimed to investigate the influence of metals exposure on birth outcomes and reveal the importance of metabolites in the exposure-outcomes association by using metabolomics methods. MethodsIn our study, 292 mother-pairs were included who were recruited from the affiliated hospitals of Nanjing Medical University between 2006 and 2011. We measured fifteen metals (mercury, lead, vanadium, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, rubidium, copper, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, strontium, thallium, magnesium and calcium) and metabolites in maternal second trimester serums by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography high resolution accurate mass spectrometry, respectively. A multi-step statistical analysis strategy including exposome-wide association study (ExWAS) model, variable selection models and multiple-exposure models were performed to systematically appraise the associations of individual and mixed metals exposure with birth outcomes. Furthermore, differential metabolites that associated with metals exposure and birth outcomes were identified using linear regression models. ResultsMetal’s levels in maternal serums ranged from 0.05 μg/L to 1864.76 μg/L. In the ExWAS model, maternal exposure to arsenic was negatively associated with birth weight (β = 188.83; 95% CI: −368.27, −9.39), while maternal mercury exposure showed a positive association (β = 533.65; 95%CI: 179.40, 887.90) with birth weight. Moreover, each unit increase in mercury (1 ng/mL-log transformed) was associated with a 1.82 week-increase (95%CI: 0.85, 2.79) in gestational age. These findings were subsequently validated by variable selection models and multiple exposure models. Metabolomic analysis further revealed the significant role of 3-methyladenine in the relationship between arsenic exposure and birth weight. ConclusionThis study provides new epidemiological evidence indicating the associations of metals exposure and neonatal birth outcomes, and emphasizes the potential role of metabolite biomarkers and their importance in monitoring adverse birth outcomes.

Fabrication & investigation of properties of hybrid surface composite of magnesium matrix reinforced with aluminum & zinc by friction stir processing

Pure magnesium, despite its advantages, lacks crucial strength and corrosion resistance. With a continuous quest for improved materials and techniques, this study investigates innovative composite materials and the use of FSP for broader industrial applications. The study succeeded in producing this composite with enhanced properties compared to pure magnesium. Notably, the composite exhibited better corrosion resistance, increased strength and hardness. The grain size in the stir zone was significantly smaller, the grain structure was fine without defects, and recrystallized grains were present, resulting in more grain boundaries. Importantly, the properties of this surface composite approached or even surpassed those of some conventionally cast magnesium metal matrix composites. This suggests the potential for using this surface composite and FSP in industrial applications with further process parameter optimization. These findings highlight the promising prospects of surface composites and FSP in replacing traditional methods and bulk composites in specific industries.

Effect of equilibrium relative humidity on explosion characteristics parameters of humid magnesium dust

In a humid environment, active metal magnesium is susceptible to the hydrogen evolution reaction with water, which significantly increases the risk of explosions in areas where magnesium is produced and used. In this paper, the effects of equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) on the explosion characteristics parameters of magnesium dust under various initial conditions (concentration, particle size and temperature) were studied using a 20 L explosion device. Additionally, the explosion mechanism was thoroughly analyzed by incorporating the oxygen content results of the explosion products. The research revealed that explosion characteristics parameters (Pmax, (dp/dt)max) of magnesium dust cloud initially increased and then decreased with rising ERH when the explosion system was in an “oxygen-rich” state. The maximum increments in Pmax and (dp/dt)max are 130 kPa and 10.73 kPa/ms, respectively. Moreover, a decrease in particle size and an increase in temperature facilitated the generation of more hydrogen from the humid magnesium dust. This phenomenon effectively improved the explosion characteristics parameters of the humid magnesium dust, thereby increasing the sensitivity and risk of the explosion system. However, in the case of a high degree of “oxygen-poor” state, the derived hydrogen instead became burdensome, resulting in an excessive amount of magnesium dust that was unavailable for reaction. This led to a decrease in the explosion characteristics parameters of humid magnesium dust, with the maximum decreases in Pmax and (dp/dt)max being 45.8 kPa and 2.1 kPa/ms respectively.

Microstructure and the Plating/Stripping Behavior of Magnesium Metal Negative Electrode for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

Recently, rechargeable magnesium (Mg) battery systems attract lots of attention owing to their promising theoretical energy density, low cost from the natural abundance of Mg, and less dendritic growth of Mg during charging. Nevertheless, rechargeable Mg battery systems suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics on the electrodes and poor cycle life, which greatly limit their practical competitiveness. Most studies focus on the development of novel electrolytes and their feasibility for rechargeable Mg batteries, while the plating/stripping behavior of Mg metal negative electrode during the charge/discharge cycle is relatively less studied.Therefore, in this research, the platting/stripping behavior of the Mg metal electrode and the resultant surface microstructure after cycling were investigated in an all phenyl complex (APC) (PhMgCl + AlCl3 in THF) electrolyte. A Swagelok-type Mg||Mg symmetric cell was used in this study with an air-free transfer system to prevent the charged/discharged electrode from oxidation when moving to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the surface microstructure.When discharging the pristine pure Mg electrode, the stripping was found to be highly localized with numerous discharge holes on the electrode surface. Interestingly, in the subsequent charging stage, the platted Mg preferentially deposited along the circumferences of the discharge holes, which might be related to the distribution of Mg species right after discharge and the surface conditions of the discharged surface. Later discharge was found to preferentially strip the platted Mg and leave marks around the discharge holes. In addition to cycling on a pure Mg electrode, the platting/stripping behavior and the resultant microstructure of Mg metal deposited on a copper (Cu) current collector were also studied and will be discussed for potential anode-free Mg battery applications. Regardless of the platting/stripping conditions, no dendritic Mg was found during the charge/discharge cycles. Figure 1

Non-Nucleophilic Electrolytes with Non-Fluorinated Hybrid Solvents for Long-Life Magnesium Metal Batteries

Growing energy demands and the widespread of renewable power sources call for high-energy storage systems beyond lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) are high-energy, safer, and more cost-effective alternatives to LIBs and lithium metal batteries (LMBs) thanks to Mg’s high volumetric capacity (3832 mAh cm-3)1, low theoretical potential (-2.37 V vs SHE)2 and earth-abundance3. Non-nucleophilic and non-fluorinated compounds are the most important class of materials to enable sustainable rechargeable magnesium (Mg) batteries, however, they suffer from poor stability due to the formation of unstable solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI).4 Here, we design a hybrid-solvent electrolyte by dispersing a non-nucleophilic solution in a non-fluorinated weakly-coordinating solvent to prevent parasitic reactions and form stable SEI. This strategy significantly improved the cycle life of the Mg anode from 24 to 4000 hours (in Mg-Mg symmetric cells) and realized a stable cycle life of Mg-Mo6S8 full cells for more than 2300 hours with an average CE of 99.96%. The non-fluorinated weakly-coordinating solvent suppressed uneven Mg growth and contributed to the formation of polymeric SEI, which filled the cracks of pristine SEI, preventing side reactions and passivation. This strategy revealed the critical role of weakly-coordinating solvents in stabilizing Mg anode for reversible Mg batteries.

Recent progress in the application of in situ atomic force microscopy for metal anode processes in energy storage batteries

Metal anodes are considered promising candidates for next-generation rechargeable batteries owing to their high theoretical specific capacities. However, practical applications are limited by safety concerns and poor electrochemical performance caused by unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and uncontrolled metal deposition at the metal anode/electrolyte interface. An in-depth understanding of the interfacial reactions is of vital significance for the development of metal anode-based batteries. In situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) enabling high spatial resolution imaging and multifunctional detection is widely used to monitor electrode/electrolyte interfaces in working batteries. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the application of in situ EC-AFM for metal anode processes, including SEI formation and the deposition/dissolution processes of metallic lithium, magnesium, and zinc in metal anode-based batteries, which are conducive to the optimization of metal anodes in energy storage batteries.

Trace metals accumulation in tropical fish collected from Southeast coast, Tamil Nadu, India: Implication on pollution

The present study examined the levels of accumulation pattern of seven heavy metals such as essential metals (Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu)) and non-essential metals (Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg)) in 13 tropical marine fishes collected from three major fish landings viz., Chennai, Nagapattinam and Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The overall accumulation pattern of all metals was found to be significant (P<0.05) between different species and three different landing centres. The orders of heavy metals in descending order were Mg > Fe > Zn > Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd in Chennai, followed by Mg > Fe > Zn > Hg > Pb > Cu > Cd in Nagapattinam, and Mg > Fe > Zn > Cu > Hg > Pb > Cd in Tuticorin. Bioaccumulation of metals showed preferential accumulation in muscle tissues of fish species viz., Otolithus ruber, Siganus javus, Atule mate, Sardinella gibbosa, Nemipterus japonicus, Lutjanus fulviflamma, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Gerres filamentosus, Sphyraena obtusata, Selar crumenophthalmus, Upeneus moluccensis, Plicofollis dussumieri and Sillago sihama. The metal concentrations were found dependent on species-specific, behaviour of feeding, pattern of swimming and genetic tendency or other factors such as age and geographical distribution. The metal concentration varied from the fish species. Principal component was analysed and found that heavy metal concentrations detected in the study do not pose a major risk to human being. The present work suggests to continuously monitor the polluted areas for a long-term basis, as the fishes show a tendency of accumulating even non-essential metals from polluted waters.

Phosphatase and Pseudo-Phosphatase Functions of Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 (PRL-3) Are Insensitive to Divalent Metals In Vitro.

Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL-3) is associated with cancer metastasis and has been shown to interact with the cyclin and CBS domain divalent metal cation transport mediator (CNNM) family of proteins to regulate the intracellular concentration of magnesium and other divalent metals. Despite PRL-3's importance in cancer, factors that regulate PRL-3's phosphatase activity and its interactions with CNNM proteins remain unknown. Here, we show that divalent metal ions, including magnesium, calcium, and manganese, have no impact on PRL-3's structure, stability, phosphatase activity, or CNNM binding capacity, indicating that PRL-3 does not act as a metal sensor, despite its interaction with CNNM metal transporters. In vitro approaches found that PRL-3 is a broad but not indiscriminate phosphatase, with activity toward di- and tri-nucleotides, phosphoinositols, and NADPH but not other common metabolites. Although calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc-binding sites were predicted near the PRL-3 active site, these divalent metals did not specifically alter PRL-3's phosphatase activity toward a generic substrate, its transition from an inactive phospho-cysteine intermediate state, or its direct binding with the CBS domain of CNNM. PRL-3's insensitivity to metal cations negates the possibility of its role as an intracellular metal content sensor for regulating CNNM activity. Further investigation is warranted to define the regulatory mechanisms governing PRL-3's phosphatase activity and CNNM interactions, as these findings could hold potential therapeutic implications in cancer treatment.

Influence of Lanthanum oxide on AZ31 magnesium composite properties

Magnesium metal matrix composites are used for wear-resistance applications such as engine liners, cylinder blocks, and friction materials. In this study, AZ31+(0.5 to 2 wt%) La2O3 composites are prepared through a powder metallurgy process. Notably, when the percentage of La2O3 increase, the density of reinforced composites increases by 3%, and hardness increase by 25%. The microstructure mapping shows the homogeneous distribution of Mg, Al, Zn, La, and O elements throughout the composites. AZ31 + 1.5 wt% La2O3 composite has the lowest friction coefficient of 0.20 and lower wear rate of 2.73 × 10-3 mm3/m at 20 N. The worn surface of this composite has minor grooves, plows, and fewer wear particles compared to other composites.