Citric acid as electrolyte additive in aqueous Magnesium-Air battery used in Antarctic climate

The Magnesium-Air battery is a very attractive energy source due to its high specific energy, low cost and the possibility of rapid mechanical recharge. The use of citric acid as an additive to the electrolyte (sea water) prevents the precipitation of Mg(OH)2 and enhances the behaviour of the magnesium electrode. Due to the better access of electrolyte to the electrode surface, ohmic and polarization resistances are reduced, and the rate of electrochemical reaction is increased. The equilibrium potential is displaced towards lower values for both pure magnesium and magnesium alloy AZ63.Citric acid favours also the performance of the GDE by removing the Mg(OH)2 precipice. A functioning battery is tested under polar conditions at the Bulgarian Antarctic station at Livingstone island.