Toward high-energy magnesium battery anode: recent progress and future perspectives

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) promise enormous potential as high-energy density energy storage devices due to the high theoretical specific capacity, abundant natural resources, safer and low-cost of metallic magnesium (Mg). Unfortunately, critical issues including surface passivation, volume expansion, and uneven growth of the Mg metal anode not only induce the voltage hysteresis but also damage the reversible cycling life, hindering the development and the practically commercialization of RMBs. In this review, recent advances in the modified strategies of Mg metal anode, including the electrolyte modulation, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) construction, and anode process regulation are systematically summarized. On the basis of that, future perspectives and research directions for Mg anodes are also discussed and highlighted with the aim to achieve stable, safe, high-energy and cost-effective RMBs. In this review, the recent development of modified strategies is examined, and future prospects and research directions for Mg anodes are proposed. [Display omitted] •The challenges of Mg metal anode, such as surface passivation, volume expansion, and uneven growth, are analyzed.•Recent progresses of electrolyte modulation, interfacial engineering, and anode process regulation are summarized.•The prospects associated with Mg anode and further developments of high-performance RMBs are proposed.