Stable Cycling of Mg Metal Anodes by Regulating the Reactivity of Mg2+ Solvation Species

• Published in: Advanced energy materials Vol. 14; no. 16
• Main Authors: Li, Zheng, Nguyen, Dan‐Thien, Bazak, J. David, Han, Kee Sung, Chen, Ying, Prabhakaran, Venkateshkumar, Le, Thuy Thanh, Cheng, Zezhen, Song, Minyung, Pol, Vilas G., Mueller, Karl T., Murugesan, Vijayakumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2024
• Subjects: amine solvents; Mg Anode; multivalent batteries; non‐aqueous electrolytes
• ISSN: 1614-6832; 1614-6840
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202301544

Rationally designing stable nonaqueous electrolytes for Mg metal anodes demands a thorough understanding of their interfacial behaviors. Here, the critical role of cation–anion pairing in improving the cathodic stabilities of amine‐based electrolytes against solvent reduction and H2 evolution is identified. It is demonstrated that strong coordination between solvating amine groups and the Mg2+ cation facilitates the dehydrogenation of the ─NH2 group, which is mainly responsible for low reversibility during Mg metal plating and stripping. Introducing ion‐pairing into the primary solvation shell can effectively weaken the amine coordination such that its reduction is suppressed. A novel interfacial behavior regarding parasitic reaction product dissolution is also identified, which is responsible for the failure of interfacial passivation. An ion‐pairing electrolyte is developed based on a weakly‐solvated amine molecule and strongly coordinating Mg2+ salt. This electrolyte composition delivers long‐term Mg metal anode cycling with 99.6% Coulombic efficiency for 800 cycles. This study unveils a groundbreaking perspective on cation‐anion pairing in amine‐based electrolytes crucial for stable Mg metal anodes. Robust coordination between amine groups and Mg2+ cations triggers dehydrogenation. Introducing ion‐pairing into the solvation shell effectively suppresses amine reduction, resulting in a novel electrolyte that enables extended cycling of Mg metal anodes with exceptional 99.6% Coulombic efficiency over 800 cycles.