| Abstract: | Mg–Sn–Y alloys with different Sn contents (wt%) were assessed as anode candidates for Mg-air batteries. The relationship between microstructure (including the second phase, grain size, and texture) and discharge properties of the Mg–Sn–Y alloys was examined using mi-crostructure observation, electrochemical measurements, and galvanostatic discharge tests. The Mg–0.7Sn–1.4Y alloy had a high steady dis-charge voltage of 1.5225 V and a high anodic efficiency of 46.6% at 2.5 mA·cm?2. These good properties were related to its microstructure:small grain size of 3.8 μm, uniform distribution of small second phase particles of 0.6 μm, and a high content (vol%) of (11(2)0)/(10(1)0) orient-ated grains. The scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) indicated that the Sn3Y5 and MgSnY phases were effective cathodes caus-ing micro-galvanic corrosion which promoted the dissolution of Mg matrix during the discharge process. |
