Ion-Docking Effect Enabling Rechargeable High-Voltage Magnesium-Iodine/Chlorine Battery

Abstract

Rechargeable magnesium (Mg) batteries represent a promising energy storage system by offering low cost and dendrite-less propensity. However, the limited selection of cathode materials, and often with low voltage and capacity, constrain Mg batteries. Herein, by exploiting the ion-docking effect between two halogen species — iodine cations (I+) and chlorine anions (Cl-) — we activate the cathodic activity of halogens and develop a magnesium-iodine/chlorine (Mg-I/Cl) battery prototype with high energy and power density. The ion-docking effect enables I+ and Cl- to mutually balance and disperse their charges, weakens the coordination strength between Cl- and Mg2+ while enhances the stability of I+, thus facilitating the multi-electron (2+1/3) redox reactions of halogens. We also find the solvation state of iodine species determine the reaction process of the I0/I3-/I- redox couples. The here-developed magnesium-iodine/chlorine battery features an impressively high discharge plateau of up to 3.0 V with a high capacity exceeding 400 mAh g-1, and demonstrates a stable lifespan for 500 cycles, with the ability of ultra-fast charging at 20C and low-temperature cycling under -30 °C. These findings may provide new insights for developing high-energy-density Mg battery systems.