Rechargeable magnesium batteries are one of the most promising candidates for the next generation of batteries. Despite recent advances in development, the slow transport of double-charged magnesium ions in storage materials poses one of the greatest challenges in the realization of rechargeable magnesium batteries.
An important breakthrough has now been achieved to overcome the sluggish kinetics in the magnesium battery caused by the strong interaction between the double-charged magnesium ions and the intercalation host. In layered molybdenum disulfide structures, for example, the intercalation kinetics could be significantly increased by using solvated magnesium ions ([Mg(DME)x]2+). The HIU study demonstrates that the high charge density of magnesium ion may be mitigated through dimethoxyethane solvation. This facilitates magnesium ion diffusion.
It is possible that this concept can also be extended to other host structures. This would significantly advance the development of magnesium batteries.