A recent breakthrough in magnesium-based energy storage technology promised to make the tried-and-tested design much more competitive with lithium-ion systems. The updated battery achieved its vast increase in storage capacity and energy discharge by using an organic electrode alongside chloride-free electrolytes.
High-energy magnesium batteries derived from the new design can be used in all kinds of roles. They could be fitted aboard increasing numbers of electric cars, planes, and boats to provide power to engines and electrical system. Or they could store excess electricity produced by renewable energy sources for later distribution to the power grid.
It was the very first magnesium battery designed to use this combination of organic-based electrical conductor and a reduced number of electrolytes. Researchers at the University of Houston (UH) decided to dispense with the common use of chloride to store and transport electric charges.
UH associate professor Yan Yao explained that chloride was used in almost all magnesium batteries. But his team confirmed that the chloride-based chemically compound actually hampered the performance of the electrolyte. In the absence of chloride, the remaining electrolytes started performing better. (Related: New biological batteries use energy inspired by electric eels, could be used on next-gen robots, bio-implants.) A new magnesium battery that ditches chloride electrolytes and uses organic electrodes
After Yao and his research team removed all traces of chloride from the electrolyte, they paired up the charge-carrying material with organic cathodes and a metal anode. The cathodes were made from quinone polymers, while the anode was magnesium........................................
“Through (the) optimal combination of organic carbonyl polymer cathodes and Mg-storage-enabling electrolytes, we are able to demonstrate high specific energy, power, and cycling stability that are rarely seen in Mg batteries,” the UH researchers concluded in their paper.
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