# Reversible Deposition and Dissolution of Magnesium from Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids

Authors: QingSong Zhao; Yanna NuLi; Tuerxun Nasiman; Jun Yang; JiuLin Wang
Journal: International Journal of Electrochemistry
 (2012)

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## Abstract

The electrochemical performance of six imidazolium cation-based ionic liquids (ILs) containing 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2 as the electrolytes for magnesium deposition-dissolution was examined by cyclic voltammogramms and constant current discharge-charge techniques. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements were conducted to characterize the morphologies and components of the deposits. The cathodic satiability of imidazolium cations can be improved by increasing the length of alkyls at the 1-position and introducing methyl group at the 2-position of the imidazolium cations. A reversible magnesium deposition-dissolution can be achieved at room temperature. After adding appreciate amount of tetrahydrofuran (THF) organic solvent, the conductivity and the peak currents for Mg deposition and dissolution can be significantly improved. The potential polarization of deposition-dissolution process is decreased using Mg powder electrode.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Increasing depletion of fossil resources, serious industrial pollution, and ecological destruction have cried for low-cost and high energy density rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, load leveling, and storage of energy from renewable sources [1]. Due to higher theoretical capacity (2205 mAh/g), higher negative potential (about −2 V versus standard hydrogen electrode in aprotic solutions), low cost, safe to handle and environmentally friendly nature, metallic magnesium is an attractive candidate for the active material of high energy density batteries [2–4]. But in many nonaqueous solutions, a reversible process of electrochemical deposition and dissolution of magnesium is hard to achieve because of the formation of compact passive film [5]. It is known that electrochemical Mg deposition is impossible from solutions containing simple ionic Mg salts (such as MgCl2, Mg(ClO4)2, etc.) in commonly used aprotic solvents (such as alkyl carbonates, esters, and acetonitrile) [6, 7]. However, magnesium can be reversibly deposited electrochemically in the systems without the passivating phenomena, such as ethereal solutions of Grignard reagents (RMgX, R = alkyl, aryl groups; X = halide: Cl, Br) [7–10], amidomagnesium halides [11, 12], Mg(BR2R′2)2 (R = alkyl and R′ = aryl group) [2, 11], Mg(AX4−nRn′R′n′′)2 (A = Al, B; X = Cl, Br; R, R′ = alkyl or aryl groups, and n′ +n′′ = n) [13, 14], and PhMgCl-AlCl3 [15]. However, those electrolyte systems still suffer from the problems of safety and reliability due to the flammability and high vapor pressure of the ethereal solvents.As we know, ionic liquids (ILs) have been widely researched and applied in organic synthesis, catalysis, separations, and electrochemistry owing to the superior performance such as nonflammability, wide liquid-phase range, low vapour pressure, lack of volatility, wide electrochemical window, and great thermal and electrochemical stability [16–20]. ILs were used as electrolytes for electrochemically reversible deposition and dissolution of lithium [21, 22]. In particular, ILs have been regarded as attractive candidates for lithium-battery electrolyte [23–25]. We first reported the electrodeposition of magnesium in imidazolium-based and piperidine-based ionic liquids [26–29]. Cheek et al. studied the electrodeposition of magnesium in imidazolium-based ILs and pyrrole-based ILs containing a Grignard reagent or several inorganic magnesium salts [30]. Recently, Morita et al. [31, 32] reported Mg electrodeposition from the electrolyte consisted of quaternary ammonium-based ILs with Grignard reagents or simple Mg salt, and they also synthesized a series of imidazolium-based ILs and examined the electrodeposition of magnesium from the solution mixed the ILs with a Grignard reagent [33].In this paper, we systematically studied the relation between the chemical structure of imidazolium-based ILs containing Mg(CF3SO3)2 and the ionic conductivity, electrochemical window, and Mg deposition and dissolution. Furthermore, tetrahydrofuran (THF) as an additive was added in the electrolytes to improve the electrochemical performance of the electrolytes.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Preparation of Electrolytes

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMImPF6, >99.0%), 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (HMMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide (BMMImTFSI, >99.0%) were purchased from Center for Green Chemistry and Catalysis (LICP, CAS, China) and used as received. Figure 1 shows the chemical structure of these imidazolium-based ILs. Mg(CF3SO3)2 (Alfa Aesar) was stored under an argon atmosphere and used without further treatment. Tetrahydrofuran (Aladdin, 99.9%) was redistilled to receive lower water content. 0.3 mol L−1 solutions were prepared by adding appropriate amount of Mg(CF3SO3)2 to imidazolium-based ILs in an airtight flask inside an argon-filled glove box (Mbraun, Unilab, Germany) and stirring the mixtures inside the box at room temperature for about 12 h. Then, appropriate amount of THF with different volume ratio was added and stirred about several hours.Figure 1
Chemical structures of the imidazolium-based ILs used in this work.


### 2.2. Measurement Procedures and Apparatus

The specific conductivity of the solutions was measured using an FE30 conductivity meter and the InLab 710 conductivity measuring cell (Mettler Toledo, Switzerland). FTIR spectroscopy of the solutions was conducted with Paragon 1000 (Perkin Elmer, Inc., USA) at 4000–450 cm−1, resolution 0.1 cm−1. The samples were prepared by evenly spreading solution on KBr disc.Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of three-electrode cells were conducted in the argon-filled glove box at room temperature using an electrochemical instrument of CHI604A Electrochemical Workstation (Shanghai, China). The working electrode was Pt disk (geometric area = 3.14 × 10−2cm2), and magnesium ribbon (1 mm diameter) (Aldrich) served as counter and reference electrodes. All of the electrodes were polished before use.Electrochemical magnesium deposition-dissolution cycles were examined with CR2025 coin-type cells. Copper foil (Φ12 mm) was used as a working electrode (substrate) for the deposition and dissolution of magnesium. Magnesium strip or a mixture of 90 wt.% Mg powder (99%, Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd.) ball-milled 350 rmp for 10 h and sieved (300 mesh), 3 wt.% carbon black, and 7 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene (Aldrich) binder pressed on Cu foil as a counter electrode. Glass fiber membrane was used as a separator. The cells were assembled in the glove box. Magnesium was deposited onto the substrate for fixed periods of 30 min followed by stripping to a fixed potential limit of 0.8 V versus Mg at a constant current density of 0.1 mA cm−2. There was a 30 s rest between deposition and dissolution. The magnesium deposition and dissolution on the substrate was referred as the discharge and charge process, respectively. The time of charge divided by the time of discharge was defined as the deposition-dissolution efficiency.The surface morphology and element analysis of the electrodeposits were examined on a JEOL JSM-6460 scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The samples were deposited for 10 h on copper substrate at 0.05 mA cm−2 and washed carefully with drying THF solvent to remove soluble residue in the glove box. Then, the samples were transferred out of the box and kept carefully without exposure to the atmosphere.


## 2.1. Preparation of Electrolytes

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMImPF6, >99.0%), 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (HMMImBF4, >99.0%), 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide (BMMImTFSI, >99.0%) were purchased from Center for Green Chemistry and Catalysis (LICP, CAS, China) and used as received. Figure 1 shows the chemical structure of these imidazolium-based ILs. Mg(CF3SO3)2 (Alfa Aesar) was stored under an argon atmosphere and used without further treatment. Tetrahydrofuran (Aladdin, 99.9%) was redistilled to receive lower water content. 0.3 mol L−1 solutions were prepared by adding appropriate amount of Mg(CF3SO3)2 to imidazolium-based ILs in an airtight flask inside an argon-filled glove box (Mbraun, Unilab, Germany) and stirring the mixtures inside the box at room temperature for about 12 h. Then, appropriate amount of THF with different volume ratio was added and stirred about several hours.Figure 1
Chemical structures of the imidazolium-based ILs used in this work.


## 2.2. Measurement Procedures and Apparatus

The specific conductivity of the solutions was measured using an FE30 conductivity meter and the InLab 710 conductivity measuring cell (Mettler Toledo, Switzerland). FTIR spectroscopy of the solutions was conducted with Paragon 1000 (Perkin Elmer, Inc., USA) at 4000–450 cm−1, resolution 0.1 cm−1. The samples were prepared by evenly spreading solution on KBr disc.Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of three-electrode cells were conducted in the argon-filled glove box at room temperature using an electrochemical instrument of CHI604A Electrochemical Workstation (Shanghai, China). The working electrode was Pt disk (geometric area = 3.14 × 10−2cm2), and magnesium ribbon (1 mm diameter) (Aldrich) served as counter and reference electrodes. All of the electrodes were polished before use.Electrochemical magnesium deposition-dissolution cycles were examined with CR2025 coin-type cells. Copper foil (Φ12 mm) was used as a working electrode (substrate) for the deposition and dissolution of magnesium. Magnesium strip or a mixture of 90 wt.% Mg powder (99%, Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd.) ball-milled 350 rmp for 10 h and sieved (300 mesh), 3 wt.% carbon black, and 7 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene (Aldrich) binder pressed on Cu foil as a counter electrode. Glass fiber membrane was used as a separator. The cells were assembled in the glove box. Magnesium was deposited onto the substrate for fixed periods of 30 min followed by stripping to a fixed potential limit of 0.8 V versus Mg at a constant current density of 0.1 mA cm−2. There was a 30 s rest between deposition and dissolution. The magnesium deposition and dissolution on the substrate was referred as the discharge and charge process, respectively. The time of charge divided by the time of discharge was defined as the deposition-dissolution efficiency.The surface morphology and element analysis of the electrodeposits were examined on a JEOL JSM-6460 scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The samples were deposited for 10 h on copper substrate at 0.05 mA cm−2 and washed carefully with drying THF solvent to remove soluble residue in the glove box. Then, the samples were transferred out of the box and kept carefully without exposure to the atmosphere.


## 3. Results and Discussion

The ionic conductivity and the electrochemical window of several imidazolium-based ILs are summarized in Table1. The conductivity tends to decrease with increasing the length of alkyls at the 1-position and introducing methyl group at the 2-position of the imidazolium ring. The cathodic and anodic limits of the electrochemical window depend on the anions and cations of the ILs, respectively. The cation stability is as follows: EMIm+ < BMIm+ < BMMIm+ < HMMIm+. Increasing the length of alkyls at the 1-position of the imidazolium ring seems to lead to a lower potential for the cathodic limit. Furthermore, the cathodic stability is improved by introducing methyl group at the 2-position because the proton at 2-position has stronger reactivity. The result suggests that the reduction potential of EMImBF4 is above 0 V versus Mg, and EMIm-based ILs cannot be used for magnesium deposition electrolyte. On the other hand, the stability of different anions is as follows: BF4- < TFSI- < PF6-. The anodic stability tends to improve using TFSI− and PF6- anions. However, the reversible deposition-dissolution of magnesium cannot be obtained in the solutions of BMImPF6 or BMMImTFSI containing Mg(CF3SO3)2. It probably relates with the strong electronegativity of TFSI− and PF6- anions, which may form a passive film with magnesium ions.Table 1
Conductivity and electrochemical window of the imidazolium-based ILs used in this work.
Ionic liquidsConductivity/mS cm−1 (25°C)Electrochemical window of ionic liquids on Pt electrode/V versus MgEMImBF414.460.3–3.0BMImBF43.36−0.4–3.0BMImPF61.33−0.6–3.5HMMImBF40.43−1.2–3.2BMMImTFSI1.94−1.0–3.2BMMImBF42.05 (40°C)−0.8–3.2The ionic conductivity of 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2 dissolving in the ILs with or without THF is summarized in Table 2. The dissolution of Mg(CF3SO3)2 in ILs gives slightly lower conductivity than ILs. Furthermore, the conductivity of the solutions significantly increases after adding THF because the small molecule organic ether solvent reduces the viscosity of the ILs. High volatility of THF solvent can also be partly suppressed by mixing the nonvolatile ILs due to so-called “dilution effect.” However, excess THF cannot be added considering the solubility of Mg(CF3SO3)2 in THF.Table 2
Conductivity of the solutions dissolving 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2 in ILs without or with THF by different volume ratios for ILs and THF.
Solutions without THFBMImBF4BMImPF6HMMImBF4BMMImTFSIBMMImBF4Conductivity/mS cm−1 (25°C)3.081.310.321.791.18 (40°C)Solutions with THFBMImBF4 (6 : 1)BMImBF4 (3 : 1)BMImBF4 (1 : 1)BMMImBF4 (6 : 1)BMMImBF4  (3  :  1)BMMImBF4 (1 : 1)Conductivity/mS cm−1 (25°C)5.728.039.331.973.655.56Figure2 shows FTIR spectra (transmittance mode) of BMImBF4, BMImBF4 + THF (with 3 : 1 volume ratio), 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4, and 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1). The peaks in the range of 3600–3300 cm−1 can be attributed to νO–H vibration from trace H2O. 2840–3000 cm−1 and 1365–1470 cm−1 belong to νC–H and δC–H vibration modes of imidazolium cation, respectively. Those around 3100 cm−1 and 1630 cm−1 are related to νC–H and δC=C vibration mode of imidazolium ring, respectively. 1574 cm−1 can be attributed to the vibration of imidazolium ring, and the peaks between 1250 cm−1 and 1360 cm−1 belong to νC–N vibration. The peak of 750 cm−1 is related to the C–H plane swing vibration and 1170 cm−1 to νC–C framework vibration. 840 cm−1 belongs to H–C=C–H nonplanar angle vibration and 500–650 cm−1 to far-infrared absorption frequency. The peaks of 521 cm−1 and 1059 cm−1 are the characteristic frequency of BF4-. Little difference appears between the spectra of BMImBF4 and BMImBF4 + THF, Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4, and Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF. It is suggested that the addition of a certain amount of THF has little impact on chemical constitutions of the solutions. After adding of a certain amount of Mg(CF3SO3)2, no characteristic peaks of CF3SO3- appear, and the characteristic peak of BF4- at 1059 cm−1 and the peak of νC-N vibration at 1280 cm−1 become double peaks, and a new peak at 1226 cm−1 is found. It is suggested that some complex reaction takes place between Mg(CF3SO3)2 and BMImBF4, which may restrain the formation of passive film, which is favorable for the reversible deposition-dissolution of magnesium.Figure 2
FTIR spectra of (a) BMImBF4, (b) BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1), (c) 0.3 mol L−1 BMImBF4/Mg(CF3SO3)2, and (d) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1).Figure3 shows FTIR spectra of BMImPF6, 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImPF6, BMMImTFSI, and 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMMImTFSI. The peak of 830 cm−1 belongs to the characteristic frequency of PF6- shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), respectively. In Figures 3(c) and 3(d), 1350 cm−1 and 1192 cm−1 can be attributed to the characteristic peaks of –CF3 and –SO3, respectively. The peaks of 3496 cm−1, 1669 cm−1, and 1253 cm−1 are related to CF3SO3-. After adding Mg(CF3SO3)2, the characteristic peaks of PF6- and CF3SO3- remain (shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b)). It is suggested that Mg2+ is not involved in the complex reaction because the strong electronegativity of PF6- may destroy the reaction. Similar phenomenons appear in ILs containing TFSI− anions, as shown in Figures 3(c) and 3(d). It can be supposed that the passive film may take place in both of systems and no reversible magnesium deposition-dissolution appears.Figure 3
FTIR spectra of (a) BMImPF6, (b) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImPF6, (c) BMMImTFSI, and (d) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMMImTFSI.We examined the reversible deposition-dissolution behavior of magnesium in Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 solution and the impact of different THF volume ratio on the electrochemical performance. Figure 4 compares the cyclic voltammograms (CVs) on platinum disk electrode from BMImBF4, 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4, 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (6 : 1), 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1), and 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (1 : 1) at 50 mV s−1. Compared to pure BMImBF4 (inset of Figure 4(a)), a redox wave at −0.2 V and 0.6~1.0 V versus Mg appears in 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 (Figure 4(a)), which may correspond to the couple of cathodic deposition and anodic dissolution of Mg. The peak current density is low due to a low conductivity of the solution. Adding THF can improve the conductivity, and the peak current density increases with the increase of THF amount (Figures 4(b), 4(c), and 4(d)). However, the overpotential between reduction and oxidation peaks becomes larger when the ratio of BMImBF4 and THF reaches to 1 : 1 (Figure 4(d)). Because of the lower solubility of Mg(CF3SO3)2 in THF, excess THF may affect the solubility of Mg(CF3SO3)2 in the ILs and the electrochemical performance of the solution. The plot of the anodic peak currents versus square root of the scan rates on platinum disk electrode from 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (6 : 1) is shown in Figure 5. The linear plot proves that the mass-transport process is most likely diffusion of electroactive species from the electrolyte to the electrode interface.Typical cyclic voltammograms of Mg deposition-dissolution on Pt disk electrode from (a) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4, inset is the CV of BMImBF4, (b) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (6 : 1), (c) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1), and (d) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (1 : 1). The scanning rate was 50 mV s−1.
(a)(b)(c)(d)Figure 5
A plot of the anodic peak currents against square root of the scan rates for the striping of Mg on platinum disk electrode from 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (6 : 1).As shown in Table1, the stability of imidazolium cation of BMImBF4 can be improved when active H in the cation is substituted by methyl. Figure 6 shows typical cyclic voltammograms on Pt disk electrode from BMMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1) and 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1) at 50 mV s−1. The reduction potential of blank solution of BMMImBF4 + THF arrives to −0.8 V versus Mg and oxidation potential to 2.5 V versus Mg. The addition of Mg(CF3SO3)2 causes the appearance of a reduction process at −0.11 V and a oxidation process at 0.91 V, with current significantly higher than the background current in this potential range. Though the reversibility of Mg2+ in BMMImBF4 is improved compared to BMImBF4, the peak current density is smaller due to the lower conductivity.Figure 6
Typical cyclic voltammograms of Mg deposition-dissolution on Pt disk electrode from (a) BMMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1), (b) 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1). The scanning rate was 50 mV s−1.The surface morphology and composition of the electrodeposited layer was investigated by means of scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Figure7 shows the SEM image and corresponding EDS result of the deposit on copper substrate from 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1) solution, the deposited charge amount is 1.8 C cm−2. Although the deposit is sparse and uneven, micrometric size crystals can be observed. EDS analysis shows that the deposit contains magnesium, in addition to copper that resulted from the substrate. In order to know whether the deposit contains crystalline magnesium or not, XRD analysis was performed. However, the layer is too thin to produce good XRD pattern.SEM image of magnesium deposit and corresponding EDS result on copper substrate from 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1) solution. The charge amount is 1.8 C cm−2.
(a)(b)Figure8 presents typical magnesium deposition-dissolution cycles on Cu substrate in 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1) and the cycling efficiencies (calculated according to the ratio of the charge amount of magnesium dissolution to that of magnesium deposition) during initial 85 cycles. The counter electrode is Mg sheet. As shown in the Figure 8(a), the deposition potential of Mg on Cu substrate is about −0.5 V and the corresponding dissolution potential is 0.5 V. The cycling efficiencies during initial 20 cycles are low because of the complex adsorption and diffusion of electrolyte. After 20 cycles, the cycling efficiencies can reach about 96%. When Mg sheet electrode is replaced with Mg powder electrode, the potentials of deposition and dissolution are significantly reduced (shown in Figure 9). It is suggested that the increase of the electrode surface area has a marked effect on decreasing the interfacial resistance and suppressing the potential polarization. This is mostly attributed to the porous characters and stable and homogeneous interface of the powder electrode [34, 35].Typical galvanostatic cycling curves (a) Inset shows one of the cycle curves, and cycling efficiencies (b) for Mg deposition-dissolution on Cu substrate in 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1). The counter electrode is Mg sheet.
(a)(b)Figure 9
Typical galvanostatic cycling curves for Mg deposition-dissolution on Cu substrate in 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2/BMImBF4 + THF (3 : 1) inset shows one of the cycle curves. The counter electrode is magnesium powder electrode.


## 4. Conclusions

Several imidazolium-based ILs containing 0.3 mol L−1 Mg(CF3SO3)2 for electrochemical magnesium deposition and dissolution were systematically studied. The chemical structure of imidazolium cations has a remarkable impact on the ionic conductivity and the electrochemical window of the solutions. After adding of a certain amount of THF, the conductivity of the solution, the performance for Mg deposition-dissolution can be improved. Replacing Mg sheet electrode with Mg powder electrode, the potential polarization of deposition-dissolution process is decreased.



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