Iron powder, iron electrode, iron battery, and method of manufacture thereof

An electrochemical cell, comprising:

• a first electrode;
• a second electrode;
• and
• an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode,
• wherein at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode comprises:
• a first iron material, wherein the first iron material is a first reduced iron;
• and
• a second iron material that is different from the first iron material,
• optionally wherein the first electrode is prepared from a composition comprising the first iron material, the second electrode is prepared from a composition comprising the second iron material, or both.

A method of preparing an electrode, the method comprising:

• providing a first blend of a first iron material and a second iron material, wherein the first iron material is a first reduced iron, and the second iron material that is different from the first iron material;
• and
• forming the first blend to provide the electrode comprising a second blend,
• wherein a surface area of the first blend is less than a surface area of the second blend.

A method of forming an electrode, the method comprising:

• providing an initial iron material having a first apparent density and a first surface area;
• oxidizing the initial iron material to form an oxidized iron material;
• reducing the oxidized iron material to form an iron material, wherein the iron material has a second apparent density and a second surface area,
• wherein the second apparent density is less than the first apparent density, and the second surface area is greater than the first surface area, and
• forming the iron material into the electrode.