Intercalation membrane

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• an anode compartment comprising an anode at which an oxidation reaction occurs and an anolyte medium, wherein the anode compartment further comprises inlet and outlet ports configured to introduce anolyte medium into the anolyte compartment and to remove anolyte medium from the anolyte compartment;
• a cathode compartment comprising a cathode at which a reduction reaction occurs and a catholyte medium, wherein the cathode compartment further comprises inlet and outlet ports configured to introduce catholyte medium into the catholyte compartment and to remove catholyte medium from the catholyte compartment;
• an ion conductive intercalation membrane separating the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, wherein the intercalation membrane does not receive and release electrons during operation of the electrochemical cell, the intercalation membrane comprises a Chevrel phase (Mo6T8, where T is S, Se, or Te), and the intercalation membrane transports metal ions selected from ions of Li, Na, K, Mg, Pb, Zn, Y, and Cs;
• and
• an electric field between the anode and cathode to cause electrons to flow through an external circuit coupled to the anode and cathode and cause the oxidation and reduction reactions to occur and to cause the metal ions to transport through the intercalation membrane from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment to maintain charge neutrality within the electrochemical cell.

A method for operating an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

• providing the electrochemical cell, the cell comprising:
• an anode compartment comprising an anode at which an oxidation reaction occurs and an anolyte medium, wherein the anode compartment further comprises inlet and outlet ports configured to introduce anolyte medium into the anolyte compartment and to remove anolyte medium from the anolyte compartment;
• a cathode compartment comprising a cathode at which a reduction reaction occurs and a catholyte medium, wherein the cathode compartment further comprises inlet and outlet ports configured to introduce catholyte medium into the catholyte compartment and to remove catholyte medium from the catholyte compartment;
• an ion conductive intercalation membrane separating the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, wherein the intercalation membrane does not receive and release electrons during operation of the electrochemical cell and the intercalation membrane transports metal ions;
• and
• an electric current source connected to the anode and cathode;
• introducing the catholyte medium to the catholyte compartment and the anolyte medium to the anolyte compartment;
• and
• passing a current between the anode and the cathode to cause electrons to flow through an external circuit coupled to the anode and cathode and to cause metal ions to transport through the intercalation membrane from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment to maintain charge neutrality within the electrochemical cell at a current density greater than 25 mA/cm2 across the intercalation membrane.