LAUSR

Mg-air batteries are a promising new generation of batteries because they can operate in neutral electrolytes that are safe and non-toxic. However, the high corrosion and low utilization of Mg anodes in Mg-air batteries result in low specific capacity and severe self-discharge. Here, we report an Mg(OTf)2-based aqueous electrolyte that addresses these issues by reducing the contact of the Mg anode with water molecules from the hydrophobic -CF3 groups and forming an MgF2 protective layer. Hence, the assembled Mg-air batteries exhibited a specific capacity of up to 1920 mAh g-1Mg (87.32% utilization based on the Mg anode). In addition, the resting time of the corresponding Mg-air batteries was 123 times longer than that of Mg-air batteries with pure NaCl electrolytes under the same conditions.