National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea announced on December 10, 2017, that Professor Song Seung-wan and his research team in Chungnam National University has developed a new innovative negative electrode material that can make Mg-ion battery feasible.
According to BusinessKorea, the cost of Mg is far lower than that of Li. Theoretically, Mg-ion battery's energy density per unit is 170% of that of Li-ion. However, when electrolyte contains salt or organic solvent, Mg-ion battery's operation performance is worse than that of Li-ion battery. In addition, Mg-ion battery can only operate under high temperature with certain solvents.
Song's research team has successfully developed Mg2Sn negative electrode materials that can overcome the limits mentioned above, and make Mg-ion rechargeable battery feasible. The team claimed that the latest negative electrode material can maintain the electrolyte's stability during charging time. This material does not easily oxidize like the previous Mg negative electrode materials.
Professor Song said this case is the first of its kind. A Mg-ion battery with Mg2Sn negative electrode material can operate in a range of normal temperature. He hopes that the case will serve as the pioneer that can make next generation chargeable batteries other than Li-ion battery.