Mg3 energy storage device working principle

What is the basic structure of a MG air battery?

The basic structure of a Mg–air battery is shown schematically in Fig. 1, composed of an Mg (or Mg alloy) anode, an air cathode and a saline electrolyte. The reactions involved in Mg–air batteries are as follows: Fig. 1 Typical structure and working principle of an Mg–air battery.

Is mg air battery a primary battery?

The Mg–air battery is a promising electrochemical energy storage and conversion device since Mg is abundant on the earth, has a high reaction activity, is light weight, has low toxicity and has relatively high safety. 9–11 Generally speaking, the present Mg–air battery is a primary battery.

How to control the cost of MG air batteries?

To further control the cost of Mg–air batteries, much research is devoted to developing non-noble metal catalysts such as carbon-based materials and transition metal oxides. Carbon materials are ubiquitous in air electrodes in Mg–air batteries, not only as catalysts and conductive agents but also as a gas diffusion layer.

What are the problems with MG air batteries?

The main issue of Mg–air batteries is the high polarization and low coulombic efficiency. For example, the working voltage is normally below 1.2 V and the practical specific energy is lower than ten percent of the theoretical one.

How much polarization can a MG air battery produce?

The standard electrode potential of the reaction is −2.37 V and this electrochemical reaction can produce 2.2 A h g−1 of capacity. However, for Mg–air batteries, a high level of polarization is displayed. One issue is the side-reaction in the Mg anode, that is to say, the corrosion of Mg.

What are mg air batteries used for?

The application of Mg–air batteries has a long history. As early as the 1960s, General Electric (GE), an American company, obtained a neutral NaCl solution Mg–air fuel cell. Nowadays, an important application of Mg–air batteries is as backup systems for electric and solar power, which can be employed in hospitals and schools for emergencies.