High-performance, durable, and self-regenerating zinc-based flow battery

A high-performance, durable, and self-regenerating zinc-based flow battery, comprising:

• an anolyte containing zinc salts and an electrochemical modifier;
• a catholyte containing ferrocyanide salts;
• a membrane separating the anolyte and the catholyte,
• an anode comprising a zinc-compatible material;
• a cathode comprising an active material;
• a flow system configured to circulate the anolyte and the catholyte;
• and
• a power management system operably connected to the anode and the cathode,
• wherein the electrochemical modifier facilitates an electrochemical oxidation of dead zinc formed on the anode, enhancing an anolyte utilization rate to at least 99% at an even higher areal capacity of at least 100 mAh cm−2 for over 800 hours, and promoting uniform and dense zinc deposition during cycling, and
• wherein the electrochemical modifier has a concentration sufficient to sustain oxidation of the dead zinc for at least 200 cycles.