Effect of crystallographic orientation on the discharge and corrosion behaviour of AP65 magnesium alloy anodes

Highlights: • The (0001) basal planes have lower corrosion rates at open circuit potentials. • The (0001) basal planes inhibit the self-discharge of AP65 at 180 mA cm⁻². • The (1120) and (1010) prismatic planes exhibit stronger activity during discharge. • The (1120) and (1010) prismatic planes improve the anodic efficiency at 10 mA cm⁻². - Abstract: AP65 doped with different elements are rolled into the anode plates for Mg-air battery and higher-power seawater activated battery. The discharge and corrosion behaviour of their cross- section surfaces (CS) and rolling surfaces (RS) is systematically studied and the results show that the RS consisting of (0001) crystallographic planes have lower corrosion rates and inhibit the self- discharge at 180 mA cm⁻², whereas the CS with $\left(11\overline{2}0\right)$ and $\left(10\overline{1}0\right)$ planes provide higher anodic efficiencies at 10 mA cm⁻² and possess stronger discharge activity. Furthermore, the dissolution mechanisms of different surfaces are also elucidated based on microstructure characterization and electrochemical response.