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 Mg 17 Al 12 in AZ31 into small Mg 17 Al 12 , Al 2 Ca and Al 2 (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. [Display omitted] • The AZ31M has homogeneous microstructure with fine second phases distributed uniformly in the matrix. • The Mg-air battery achieves an anodic efficiency of 73% with the energy density of 1692 mWh g−1 at 1 mA cm−2 in 3.5% NaCl. • The corrosion rate of AZ31M is 0.38 ± 0.09 mm y−1 in 3.5 wt% NaCl. • The AZ31M anode is a potential candidate Mg anode for wide application of Mg-air battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]