# US 2017/0256802 A1 · Intercalation membrane

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- Number: US 2017/0256802 A1
- Document ID: US20170256802A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/449,159
- Filed: 2017-03-03
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-03
- Assignees: Ceramatec, Inc.
- Applicants: Ceramatec, Inc.
- Inventors: James M. Mosby; Thomas Hinklin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170256802A1

## CPC

- B01D 71/02: Inorganic material
- B01D 61/461: {comprising only a single cell, only one anion or cation exchange membrane or one pair of anion and cation membranes}
- B01D 67/0046: {by slurry techniques, e.g. die or slip-casting}
- C02F 1/46104: {Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing}
- C25B 13/04: characterised by the material
- C25B 13/05: based on inorganic materials
- C25C 7/04: Diaphragms; Spacing elements
- H01M 8/0215: Glass; Ceramic materials
- H01M 8/188: {by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries}
- B01D 2325/42: Ion-exchange membranes
- C02F 1/4672: {by electrooxydation}
- C02F 2201/46115: Electrolytic cell with membranes or diaphragms
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B)
- C25C: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

An ion conductive intercalation membrane is useful to separate anode and cathode compartments in an electrochemical cell and provide ion transport between the anode and cathode compartments. The intercalation membrane does not receive and release electrons during operation of the electrochemical cell. An electric potential and current source is connected to an anode and a cathode disposed in respective anode and cathode compartments to cause oxidation and reduction reactions to occur at the anode and cathode, to cause electrons to flow through an external circuit coupled to the anode and cathode, and to cause ions to transport through the intercalation membrane to maintain charge neutrality within the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell operates at a current density greater than 25 mA/cm2 across the intercalation membrane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrochemical cell comprising:
an anode compartment comprising an anode and an anolyte medium;
a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and a catholyte medium;
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
an electric field between the anode and cathode to cause electrons to flow through an external circuit coupled to the anode and cathode and to cause ions to transport through the intercalation membrane to maintain charge neutrality within the electrochemical cell.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, 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.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, 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.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane comprises an intercalation compound having a host lattice structure and characterized by a reversible uptake of ions at a temperature in the range of 0 to 150° C., while conserving its host lattice structure.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane comprises an intercalation compound, with or without a guest ion, selected from MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, WS2, WSe2, Mo6S8, Mo6Se8, Mo6Te8, LixCoO2, LixMn2O4, LixV3O8, LixNiO2 or LixMnO2, LixFePO4, VOPO4, NaxFeFe(CN)6, NaxCrO2, P2-Nax[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2, O3-Na[Ni1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3]O2, NaxFePO4CO3, NaxV2O2(PO4)2F, Mg1.03Mn0.97SiO4, MgFeSiO4, MgCoSiO4, CaSi2, RuO2, where x is from 0 to 3.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane has a density of at least 90%.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane comprises an intercalation compound and a non-intercalation compound, both of which are configured to provide selective transport of ions.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane comprises at least two intercalation compounds configured to provide selective transport of ions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane is fabricated with a support structure to provide mechanical stability.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane transports metal ions selected from ions of Li, Na, K, Mg, Pb, Zn, Y, and Cs.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the intercalation membrane transports a plurality of metal ions selected from ions of Li, Na, K, Mg, Pb, Zn, Y, and Cs.

### Claim 12

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.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 12, wherein the intercalation membrane has a density of at least 90%.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The electrochemical cell according to claim 12, wherein the intercalation membrane transports a plurality of metal ions selected from ions of Li, Na, K, Mg, Pb, Zn, Y, and Cs.

### Claim 15

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.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method cell according to claim 15, wherein the current density is between 25 mA/cm2 and 250 mA/cm2 across the intercalation membrane.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, wherein the intercalation membrane comprises an intercalation compound having a host lattice structure and characterized by a reversible uptake of ions at a temperature in the range of 0 to 150° C., while conserving its host lattice structure.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, wherein the intercalation membrane comprises an intercalation compound, with or without a guest ion, selected from MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, WS2, WSe2, Mo6S8, Mo6Se8, Mo6Te8, LixCoO2, LixMn2O4, LixV3O8, LixNiO2 or LixMnO2, LixFePO4, VOPO4, NaxFeFe(CN)6, NaxCrO2, P2-Nax[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2, O3-Na[Ni1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3]O2, NaxFePO4CO3, NaxV2O2(PO4)2F, Mg 1.03Mn0.97SiO4, MgFeSiO4, MgCoSiO4, CaSi2, RuO2, where x is from 0 to 3.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, wherein 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.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method according to claim 19, wherein the intercalation membrane transports a plurality of metal ions selected from ions of Li, Na, K, Mg, Pb, Zn, Y, and Cs.