Non-alloy Mg anode for Ni-MH batteries

Non-alloy Mg anode for Ni-MH batteries: Multiple approaches towards a stable cycling performance

Xu, Y. (TU Delft ChemE/Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage)
Mulder, F.M. (TU Delft ChemE/Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage)

2021

Mg attracts much research interest as anode material for Ni-MH batteries thanks to its lightweight, cost-effectiveness and high theoretical capacity (2200 mA h g⁻¹). However, its practical application is tremendously challenged by the poor hydrogen sorption kinetics, passivation from aggressive aqueous electrolytes, and insulating nature of MgH₂. Mg-based alloys exhibit enhanced hydrogen sorption kinetics and electrical conductivity, but significant amount of costly transition metal elements are required. In this work, we have, for the first time, utilized non-alloyed but catalyzed Mg as anode for Ni-MH batteries. 5 mol.% TiF₃ was added to nanosized Mg for accelerating the hydrogen sorption kinetics. Several strategies for preventing the problematic passivation of Mg have been studied, including protective encapsulation of the electrode and utilizing room-temperature/high-temperature ionic liquids and an alkaline polymer membrane as working electrolyte. Promising electrochemical performance has been achieved in this Mg–TiF₃ composite anode based Ni-MH batteries with room for further improvements.

Alkaline polymer membrane
Electrochemical hydrogen storage
Encapsulation
Ionic liquid
MgH
Ni-MH batteries

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:93b19fe8-98c7-4017-a6b2-632833622f0b

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.03.073

0360-3199

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (37), 19542-19553

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2021 Y. Xu, F.M. Mulder