High anodic-efficiency and energy-density magnesium-air battery with modified AZ31 anode

This work investigates the performance of magnesium (Mg) - air battery with modified AZ31 anode, designated as AZ31M. It successfully achieves a high anodic efficiency of 73% with the energy density of 1692 mWh g−1 and capacity of 1582 mAh g−1 at 1 mA cm−2 in 3.5% NaCl. These battery parameters are higher than those reported for most Mg anodes. The addition of the cost-effective La, Ce and Ca refines the bulk Mg17Al12 in AZ31 into small Mg17Al12, Al2Ca and Al2(Ca, RE), leading to a uniform discharge with slight galvanic corrosion and low anode delamination effect. The AZ31M anode is a potential candidate Mg anode for wide application of Mg-air battery.