Blocked serpentine flow field with enhanced species transport and improved flow distribution for vanadium redox flow battery

•A 3-D model with incorporating non-uniform electrode structure and electrode intrusion was built.•A novel blocked serpentine flow field was proposed for VRFB.•Blocked serpentine flow field was compared with conventional serpentine flow field.•Blocked serpentine flow field brings about stronger species transport and more uniform flow distribution.•Overall performances were improved with blocked serpentine flow field.