Magnesium Bis(Oxalate)Borate as a Potential Electrolyte for Rechargeable Magnesium Ion Batteries

Magnesium bis(oxalate)borate salt (Mg(B(C2O4)(2))(2) or Mg(BOB)(2)) was prepared by a solid-state reaction solvent-free process, and is potentially viable to be used as an electrolytic material for magnesium ion batteries (MIBs). The synthesis was achieved by mixing oxalic acid, boric acid, and magnesium hydroxide using a molar ratio of 4:2:1, respectively. The resulting powders were dried under vacuum at 60 degrees C, then pressed into pellets, and heated at 110 degrees C for 3 h, with a final heating at 150 degrees C for 12 h. The crystalline structure and particle morphology of the reaction product were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results confirmed the presence of functional groups in the final product, identified by the absorption bands C = O, C-O-B-O-C, O-B-O, and B-O. In order to evaluate the electrochemical properties, pure crystalline Mg(BOB)(2) powders were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and evaluated within a three-electrode electrolytic cell and in half-cells through cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves.

Automated summary

In this study, magnesium bis(oxalate)borate salt (Mg(BOB)(2)) was successfully synthesized by a solid-state reaction solvent-free process and demonstrated potential as an electrolytic material for magnesium ion batteries (MIBs). The synthesized product was characterized using various techniques, including XRD, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy, which confirmed its crystalline structure and particle morphology. The electrochemical properties of the material were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) in a three-electrode cell and half-cells.