Tohoku University researchers have achieved a significant milestone in battery technology by introducing an innovative cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs). This breakthrough material allows for efficient charging and discharging, even at low temperatures, marking a potential transformation in energy storage solutions that are not only more cost-effective but also safer and more efficient.
Published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, the study highlights a substantial enhancement in magnesium (Mg) diffusion within a rock-salt structure, a critical advancement considering the previously encountered challenge of Mg migration due to the dense atomic arrangement in this configuration. Through a strategic blend of seven distinct metallic elements, the research team engineered a crystal structure rich in stable cation vacancies, facilitating smoother Mg insertion and extraction processes.
This groundbreaking research marks the debut of rocksalt oxide as a cathode material for RMBs, showcasing the effectiveness of the high-entropy approach adopted by the researchers in activating the rocksalt oxide cathode through cation defects.
Moreover, the development addresses a significant drawback of RMBs—the difficulty of Mg transport within solid materials. Unlike conventional cathode materials, such as those with a spinel structure, which typically require high temperatures to enhance Mg mobility, the material introduced by Tohoku University operates efficiently at a mere 90°C, signifying a remarkable reduction in the necessary operating temperature.
Tomoya Kawaguchi, a professor at Tohoku University’s Institute for Materials Research (IMR), underscores the broader implications of the study, emphasizing magnesium’s abundant availability as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium, which is scarce and unevenly distributed. He envisions magnesium batteries, featuring the newly developed cathode material, playing a pivotal role in various applications, including grid storage, electric vehicles, and portable electronic devices, thereby contributing to the global transition towards renewable energy and reduced carbon emissions.
Collaborating with Kawaguchi, Tetsu Ichitsubo, another professor at IMR, highlights how this research harnesses magnesium’s intrinsic benefits and overcomes previous material limitations, paving the way for the next generation of batteries. This breakthrough promises significant impacts on technology, the environment, and society, marking a major stride forward in the quest for efficient, eco-friendly energy storage solutions.
