We report a bio-inspired design strategy for constructing anin situpolymeric SEI in aqueous Zn chemistry. This SEI can restrain interfacial side reactions, facilitate a uniform Zn²⁺flux, and consequently endow a highly stable Zn metal anode.

A direct regeneration of cathode materials from spent LiFePO ₄ batteries using a solid phase sintering method has been proposed in this article.

Recoveries of cobalt and lithium metals from spent lithium-ion batteries are very important for prevention of environmental pollution and alleviation of resource shortage. In this study, a hydrometallurgical route for the recovery of lithium fluoride was proposed. Lithium and cobalt could be first selectively leached into solution using formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. By investigating the effects of leaching temperature, time, stoichiometric ratio, H₂O₂ concentration and solid-to-liquid ratio, the leaching efficiency of Li and Co could reach 99.90% and 99.96%, respectively. Meanwhile, the evaluation of leaching kinetics and calculation of apparent activation energies revealed that the leaching process fitted chemical control satisfactorily. After further fractional precipitation, a high purity of 99.0% lithium fluoride could be finally obtained, thus achieving the effective recovery of spent material from the lithium-ion battery.