Electrochemical behavior and discharge performance of dilute Mg-Bi-based alloy as an anode for primary Mg-air battery

In this study, the electrochemical behavior and discharge performance of dilute Mg-0.5Bi-0.5Ca-0.5Ag alloy as an anode for primary Mg-air battery are studied and compared with those of Mg-0.5Bi base alloy. The results show that the addition of trace Ca and Ag to Mg-0.5Bi base alloy is conducive to enhancing the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) extent, reducing the basal texture component and kernel average misorientation value. In addition, re-deposited Ag in the discharge products can improve discharge activity by promoting the dissolution of the Mg matrix and rupturing the discharge product film. For these reasons, the Mg-0.5Bi-0.5Ca-0.5Ag anode presents a high level of synergy between cell voltage and anodic efficiency by means of the enhanced anode dissolution kinetics and effective reactive area. Therefore, dilute MgBi based anode micro-alloyed with Ag and Ca presents a great potential to be developed as novel anode material for Mg-air battery.