Is lithium not the only choice of the battery? Can magnesium replace the lithium battery?

Lithium-ion batteries have become the preferred energy storage medium for mobile phones to electric vehicles and large-scale grid support. But lithium is not the only light metal that can be used in batteries. As a result, researchers around the world are studying other candidates that may be commercialized.

Magnesium is particularly interested in. Potentially, batteries can be made of metal magnesium has a higher energy density than today's lithium-ion batteries, higher stability and lower cost. At least these are the department of energy's national renewable energy laboratory (NREL) scientists predict, they are introduced in detail in the "natural chemical" the results of their recent use rechargeable magnesium batteries.

NREL materials science department's scientists, "natural" paper, co-author of the spring board noted in NREL press release in the United States: "the main lithium ion battery technology is close to the biggest energy per unit volume can be stored, so the urgent need to explore can provide more power at a lower cost of battery chemicals."

Magnesium has several other advantages over lithium in battery applications. Each magnesium atom releases two electrons during the discharge phase of the battery, while the electrons of lithium are an electron. This makes it possible to provide almost twice the power of a lithium battery. In addition, magnesium does not grow dendrites on the metal surface during the battery charging phase. Sharp dendrites that grow on the surface of lithium metal can cause a short circuit in the battery. The lack of dendrite growth should make magnesium batteries easier to handle and safer. Finally, magnesium is more common and readily available than lithium. According to the US Geological Survey, it is the eighth richest element that can be commercially extracted from mineral deposits or seawater.

Magnesium in battery applications, however, there are some problems. This is the place where NREL scientists focused. The biggest problem is that with the traditional magnesium carbonate electrolyte reaction, in the form a passive layer on the surface of metal, ACTS as a barrier layer and prevent magnesium metal magnesium ions in the process of charging arrived. Researchers at the national renewable energy laboratory needs to find a solid interface layer, they can use it to coated magnesium in order to prevent the reaction with electrolyte - but it can still make magnesium ions in and out of the metal surface.

They chose a synthetic semi-crystalline organic polymer resin polyacrylonitrile. It is used in fiber form to make a variety of products such as outdoor awnings, yacht sailing, concrete reinforcement, and the starting point for carbon fiber strands. The organic polymer is mixed with a magnesium ion salt and coated with magnesium metal to protect it from electrolyte damage. According to NREL's report, prototype battery cells made of coated magnesium metal show great promise and achieve reversible charging and discharging - which has never been shown before.

Like almost all breakthroughs in battery research, NREL's statement about its magnesium battery must be seen as the first step toward a commercial path. Still, this is just the beginning, hoping to inspire others to study the possible alternatives to magnesium as a possible lithium..

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