Systems and Methods for Concentrating Ions

Abstract

Disclosed herein systems and methods providing an electrochemical cell for concentrating ions. The electrochemical cell can comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first solution in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. The first solution can contain a first ion and a second ion, the second ion being different than the first ion, and a molecular sieve disposed on the first electrode. The molecular sieve can be configured to selectively permit the first ion to pass from the solution to the first electrode. The molecular sieve can be further configured to selectively prevent the second ion from passing from the first solution to the first electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for concentrating ions, the system comprising:
 an electrochemical cell comprising:
 a first electrode; 
 a second electrode; 
 a first solution in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, the first solution containing a first ion and a second ion, the second ion different from the first ion; and 
 a molecular sieve disposed on the first electrode, the molecular sieve configured to selectively permit the first ion to pass from the solution to the first electrode. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the molecular sieve comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the molecular sieve is further configured to selectively prevent the second ion from passing from the first solution to the first electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage source configured to apply a differential voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the differential voltage causes the electrochemical cell to undergo a redox reaction, wherein the redox reaction causes the first ion to absorb into the first electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a second solution configured to, when contacted with the first electrode, desorbed the first ion from the first electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first ion is a lithium ion and the first electrode is a lithium-based electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first solution is a brine containing the first ion. 
     
     
         9 . A method of concentrating ions, comprising:
 contacting a first solution to an electrochemical cell, the first solution containing a first ion and a second ion, the second ion different than the first ion, the electrochemical cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a molecular sieve disposed on the first electrode, the molecular sieve configured to selectively permit the first ion to pass from the solution to the first electrode;   applying a first differential voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first differential voltage causes the electrochemical cell to undergo a redox reaction such that the first ion to absorb into the first electrode;   contacting a second solution with the electrochemical cell; and   applying a second differential voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second differential voltage causes the first ion to desorb from the first electrode.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the molecular sieve comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the molecular sieve is further configured to selectively prevent the second ion from passing from the first solution to the first electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first ion is a lithium ion and the electrode is a lithium-based electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first solution is a brine containing the first ion. 
     
     
         14 . An electrochemical cell for concentrating ions, the electrochemical cell comprising:
 a first electrode;   a second electrode;   a first solution in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, the first solution containing a first ion and a second ion, the second ion different than the first ion; and   a molecular sieve disposed on the first electrode, the molecular sieve configured to selectively permit the first ion to pass from the solution to the first electrode.   
     
     
         15 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 14 , wherein the molecular sieve comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 14 , wherein the molecular sieve is further configured to selectively prevent the second ion from passing from the first solution to the first electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 14 , wherein the electrode is in electrical communication with a voltage source configured to apply a differential voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 17 , wherein the differential voltage causes a redox reaction, wherein the redox reaction causes the first ion to absorb into the first electrode. 
     
     
         19 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 14 , wherein the first ion is a lithium ion and the first electrode is a lithium-based electrode. 
     
     
         20 . The electrochemical cell of  claim 14 , wherein the first solution is a brine containing the first ion.