Tailoring the Mg-air primary battery performance using strong complexing agents as electrolyte additives

Abstract

Mg-air primary battery has become an attractive source of energy due to its economic viability, environmental benignity, and high theoretical specific power density. However, low practical delivered power due to high self-corrosion and fast anode fouling are the main reasons that limit their commercial application. Modification of the electrolyte chemistry in Mg-air batteries plays a crucial role in improving the Mg-air battery performance. In this study, the impact of addition of two strong complexing agents at different concentrations in the aqueous electrolyte of Mg-air battery is investigated. Galvanostatic polarization test is conducted in order to evaluate the discharge performance of the half-cell on the anode side in the presence or absence of strong complexing agents. According to the results, strong complexing agents are able to effectively activate magnesium anode and provide a higher delivered potential. A decrease in the additive concentrations in the electrolyte leads to the attainment of higher utilization efficiency at the expense of slight drop in discharge potential.