Comparison of electrochemical discharge and corrosion performance of ATLa and ATCe magnesium alloy anodes

The microstructures and electrochemical corrosion behavior of Mg-6Al-1Sn-La (Ce) anode materials for magnesium-air batteries were investigated systematically. The results show that the introduction of La and Ce elements into Mg–Al-Sn alloy can form the needle-like or granular Al 11 La 3 (Ce 3 ) phases and some tiny refined Mg 17 Al 12 phases, and the amount of Mg 17 Al 12 phases gradually reduces with the increasing content of La and Ce due to the competitive consumption of Al elements. The comparison of electrochemical behavior indicates that La and Ce alloying can inhibit the hydrogen-induced self-corrosion reaction and promote the utilization efficiencies at the expense of electrical discharge activity. According to the result of utilization efficiencies, the Ce-containing anodes present higher utilization efficiencies than the La-containing anodes and Mg-6Al-1Sn. The surface morphologies after discharging indicate that La and Ce can promote the uniform dissolution and detachment of the anodes, and the corrosion pores remained relatively dense and smooth. Graphical Abstract