Summary This study aimed to provide a critical review of the magnesium‐air fuel cell (MAFC) system to provide readers with an overall comprehension of MAFC, which focuses on the modification of the magnesium anode and properties of saltwater as an electrolyte. Although MAFC is benign to the environment, it is well‐known for its challenging corrosion issue and by‐product deposition that affect its durability for commercialization and long‐term application. Since that MAFC is able to use seawater as electrolyte, it has great potential to be used as an alternative energy option for the marine sector. This journal will dissect the ability of MAFC to be used as a competitive alternative energy. Over the years, researchers have adopted several approaches, such as experimenting with different types of magnesium alloy and anode fabrication techniques, to tackle corrosion problems to alter the microstructure and mechanical properties of the anode in addition to applying a coating protection and using Mg‐based composite material. Furthermore, studies intriguingly and gradually focused on electrolyte formulation with different types of additives to address the debilitating precipitation issue and improve the discharge performance. Given the problems that arise in the system, currently, MAFC commercial products are only suitable as emergency back‐up power. In future work, an improved storage system for MAFC should be built to accommodate the precipitation products while maintaining the desired cell performance.
Magnesium is an essential element because of its many beneficial properties and advantages over other metals, including its lack of risk to people’s health and its reasonable cost. However, Mg has several disadvantages, one of which is its high corrosion rate. This work analysed magnesium alloy characteristics and quantum behaviour, including band structure, molecular orbital, and corrosion behaviour in the presence of water. Magnesium was characterised by density functional theory software using CASTEP and Dmol3. Results showed no Mg band structure displays a conductive Fermi level of 8.85 eV. Curvature studies revealed that Mg has strong curvature and electron mobility. The density of state (DOS) of Mg-Al-Zn changes with Al and Zn alloy atoms, and the electron density increases to −7.5 eV compared with pure Mg. HOMO–LUMO analysis elucidated that Mg-Al-Zn* has a large gap (0.419 eV), leading to its stability and low chemical reactivity. This study analysed the properties of Mg and then examines the effect of corrosion on Mg alloys using DFT at different element positions. Corrosion analysis indicated that Mg-Al-Zn has the highest activation energy, implying that its corrosion is less likely than that of other alloys.
Magnesium air fuel cell (MAFC) systems are eco-friendly fuel cells that use electrolytes of saltwater and oxygen from the air to produce power. However, MAFC cells face a critical problem, which is the deposition of side products on the surface of the Mg anode plate and the cathode electrode. Therefore, this study will focus on the analysis of factor on Mg(OH)2 deposition by identifying the optimal seawater, Mg alloy, and surface roughness and additives solution. Magnesium plates AZ31 are used as the anode, and air electrode as the cathode. This study also considers physical characteristics such as SEM, EDX and corrosion test while chemical characterization by performance test with difference electrolyte, anode, and roughness. Catechol-3,5-disulfonic acid disodium salt (tiron) as anti-deposition used to reduce the deposition of Mg(OH)2 on the anode and cathode surfaces and thus improve the performance of MAFC. From the performance study, the MAFC able to produce a power density of 27.54 mW/cm2 which is high compare to the MAFC without tiron. Therefore, with the active area by 110.25 cm2, the MAFC generates 2.93 W. The deposition of Mg(OH)2 reduces the active area of magnesium oxidation, thus, reduce the electricity generation. With the knowledge of optimal seawater concentration and improvement of a single fuel cell system, this study is expecting to assist the fisheries and aquaculture sector as well as the coastal communities in terms of providing a better, safer, and cheaper alternative source of electricity.
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