Redox flow battery with increased-surface-area electrode and asymmetric electrolyte concentration

A flow battery, comprising:

• a separator disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode;
• at least one flowing electrolyte;
• and
• at least one flow plate to distribute the at least one flowing electrolyte,
• wherein a material of at least one of the electrodes is treated such that a surface area of the material when treated is at least 50 times greater than a surface area of the material when untreated.

A method for preparing a flow battery, comprising:

• providing a negative electrode and a positive electrode;
• disposing a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode;
• providing at least one electrolyte to be distributed to the electrode via a flow plate,
• wherein a material of at least one of the electrodes is treated such that a surface area of the material when treated is at least 50 times greater than a surface area of the material when untreated.

A flow battery, comprising:

• a separator disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode;
• a first flowing electrolyte including a first group of ions;
• a second flowing electrolyte including a second group of ions;
• a first flow plate to distribute the first flowing electrolyte to the positive electrode;
• and
• a second flow plate to distribute the second flowing electrolyte to the negative electrolyte,
• wherein a concentration of ions in the first group is greater than a concentration of ions in the second group.