Synthesis and Characterization of MgCr2S4 Thiospinel as a Potential Magnesium Cathode
- Allison WustrowAllison WustrowJoint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesMore by Allison Wustrow
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- Baris KeyBaris KeyJoint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesChemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United StatesMore by Baris Key
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- Patrick J. PhillipsPatrick J. PhillipsJoint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesDepartment of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United StatesMore by Patrick J. Phillips
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- Niya SaNiya SaJoint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesChemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United StatesMore by Niya Sa
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- Andrew S. LiptonAndrew S. LiptonEnvironmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United StatesMore by Andrew S. Lipton
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- Robert F. KlieRobert F. KlieJoint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesDepartment of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United StatesMore by Robert F. Klie
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- John T. VaugheyJohn T. VaugheyJoint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesChemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United StatesMore by John T. Vaughey
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- Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier*Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier*E-mail: [email protected]Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United StatesMore by Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier
Abstract

Magnesium-ion batteries are a promising energy storage technology because of their higher theoretical energy density and lower cost of raw materials. Among the major challenges has been the identification of cathode materials that demonstrate capacities and voltages similar to lithium-ion systems. Thiospinels represent an attractive choice for new Mg-ion cathode materials owing to their interconnected diffusion pathways and demonstrated high cation mobility in numerous systems. Reported magnesium thiospinels, however, contain redox inactive metals such as scandium or indium, or have low voltages, such as MgTi2S4. This article describes the direct synthesis and structural and electrochemical characterization of MgCr2S4, a new thiospinel containing the redox active metal chromium and discusses its physical properties and potential as a magnesium battery cathode. However, as chromium(III) is quite stable against oxidation in sulfides, removing magnesium from the material remains a significant challenge. Early attempts at both chemical and electrochemical demagnesiation are discussed.
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