Magnesium is abundant in nature, it is non-toxic, and does not degrade in air.
In many electrical devices, lithium-ion and metal-hydride batteries are applied for energy storage. Scientists are also studying alternatives to these established battery systems in order to enhance the safety, cost efficiency, sustainability, and performance of future devices. It is their objective to replace lithium by other elements. For this purpose, all battery components have to be newly developed and understanding of electrochemical processes is required.
Magnesium-based battery cells are considered an attractive option to replace lithium in batteries. In principle, magnesium allows higher storage densities to be reached than lithium. Other advantages of magnesium are its high abundance in nature, its non-toxicity, and its low degradation in air in contrast to lithium. So far, progress achieved in this area has been limited. For the design of magnesium batteries of high storage capacity and power density, suitable electrolytes are needed that can be easily to produced, that are stable, and can be used in high concentrations in different solvents.
At the HIU, a research team headed by Maximilian Fichtner and Zhirong Zhao-Karger has now presented a promising electrolyte, which might allow for the development of a new generation of batteries. The electrolyte is characterized by a number of promising properties and claims to possess an unprecedented electrochemical stability window and a high efficiency. In addition, the electrolyte can be used in various solvents and at high concentrations. Moreover, the electrolyte is chemically compatible with a sulfur cathode, which can be discharged at a voltage close to the theoretical value.
Another advantage is the simple production of the electrolyte. Two commercially available standard chemicals, a magnesium amide and aluminium chloride, are applied. They are added to the solvent desired and subjected to stirring. This simple mixture can then be used directly as an electrolyte in the battery, explained Maximilian Fichtner.
Source: http://www.electronics-eetimes.com/en/electrolyte-promises-cheaper-magnesium-sulfur-batteries.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=222923138&vID=209&page=0
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