Recent developments on anode materials for magnesium-ion batteries: a review

In recent years, there has been significant growth in the demand for secondary batteries, and researchers are increasingly taking an interest in the development of next-generation battery systems. Magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) have been recognized as the optimal alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their low cost, superior safety, and environment-friendliness. However, research and development on rechargeable MIBs are still underway as some serious problems need to be resolved. One of the most serious obstacles is the generation of an irreversible passivation layer on the surface of the Mg anode during cycling. In addition to exploring new electrolytes for MIBs, alternative anode materials for MIBs might be an effective solution to this issue. In this review, the composition and working principle of MIBs have been discussed. In addition, recent advances in the area of anode materials (metals and their alloys, metal oxides, and two-dimensional materials) available for MIBs and the corresponding Mg-storage mechanisms have also been summarized. Further, feasible strategies, including structural design, dimension reduction, and introduction of the second phase, have been employed to design high-performance MIB anodes.