Improvement of discharge properties for aqueous magnesium-air batteries via a multi-functional and universal...

Aqueous magnesium-air batteries exhibit significant promise for energy storage because of their superior discharge efficiency, safety features, and affordability. Nonetheless, severe anode self-corrosion and discharge product accumulation can cause the actual discharge performance to be lower than the theoretical value. In this study, glucuronolactone (GLD), an additive with the ability to complex Mg, is utilized to construct a new solvated sheath and to reconfigure the hydrogen-bonding network to reduce the activity of free water. Additionally, GLD can regulate the interfacial behavior of water molecules through the formation of a water-deficient electric double layer (EDL) and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), thereby inhibiting self-corrosion. As expected, the AZ31 anode in 0.3 M GLD electrolyte reached an extraordinary specific energy of 1952.70 Wh·kg^-1 at 5 mA·cm^-2 and the cycle life was extended to 7 times that of blank electrolyte at 10 mA·cm^-2. Furthermore, the addition of GLD also significantly improved the performance of batteries utilizing LA103Z, VW83, and VW103 anodes, highlighting its universal applicability. This research offers both theoretical and practical insights for the creation of universal and multifunctional electrolyte additives, and it paves the way for further exploration into aqueous magnesium-air batteries.