Electrochemical reactivity of In-Pb solid solution as a negative electrode for rechargeable Mg-ion batteries

Lucie Blondeau (1) , Suzy Surblé (1) , Eddy Foy (2) , Hicham Khodja (1) , Magali Gauthier (1)

1 LEEL - UMR 3685 - Laboratoire d'Etudes des Eléments Légers
2 LAPA - UMR 3685 - Laboratoire Archéomatériaux et Prévision de l'Altération

A composite In-Pb:carbon was successfully synthetized by a two-step mechanochemical synthesis in order to obtain an adequate particles size and structure to investigate the electrochemical reactivity of the In-Pb solid solution towards Mg. A potential synergetic coupling of electroactive elements In and Pb was examined using electrochemical and ex situ X-ray diffraction analyses. The potential profile of the solid solution indicates the formation of Mg2Pb and MgIn. However, the diffraction study suggests a peculiar electrochemically-driven amorphization of MgIn during the magnesiation, in strong contrast to MgIn crystallization in In-based and InBi-based electrodes reported in the literature. Combining In and Pb favors the amorphization of MgIn and a high first magnesiation capacity of about 550 mAh g−1, but is thereafter detrimental to the material’s reversibility. These results emphasize the possible influence of electrochemically-driven amorphization and crystallization processes on electrochemical performance of battery materials.

Domains: Chemical Sciences; Material chemistry

Lucie Blondeau, Suzy Surblé, Eddy Foy, Hicham Khodja, Magali Gauthier. Electrochemical reactivity of In-Pb solid solution as a negative electrode for rechargeable Mg-ion batteries. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2020, 55, pp.124-128. ⟨10.1016/j.jechem.2020.07.004⟩. ⟨cea-02907955⟩