Distribution Of Sites Research Articles

Mapping nature burial in the Netherlands (2003–2023)

ABSTRACT Natural burial has become a popular burial practice in the 21st century. Initially developed in the UK, this practice has since spread to various countries. Despite its growing adoption, comprehensive academic studies exploring the country-specific governance, cultural meanings, and developmental trajectories of natural burial remain scarce. Specifically for the Netherlands, there is a notable absence of systematic research detailing the development and current state of natural burial, or ‘nature burial’, as it is understood and practiced within this context. This paper addresses these gaps by presenting the first comprehensive overview of nature burial in the Netherlands. Through a systematic mapping of the existing nature burial sites, this study examines the concept and landscape of nature burial as it has emerged in the Dutch context between 2003 and 2023. It provides insights into the increasing demand for nature burial; the geographical distribution of sites; and the formal characteristics, rules, and regulations of different types of nature-oriented burial sites. By doing so, this research offers insights into an emerging funerary innovation and provides directions for future international comparisons in the study of natural burial.

Strategic Nitrogen Site Alignment in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Performance in Aqueous Zinc-Iodide Batteries.

Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries (AZIBs) are gaining attention as next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical capacity, enhanced safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, their practical application is hindered by challenges such as slow reaction kinetics and the persistent polyiodide shuttle effect. To address these limitations, we developed a novel class of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) featuring electron-rich nitrogen sites with varied density and distribution (N1-N4) along the pore walls. These nitrogen sites enhance iodine species confinement and mass transport. Our experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the continuous and optimized distribution of nitrogen sites within the COF structure significantly reduces internal resistance and boosts redox activity. Moreover, the N4-COF demonstrates superior performance compared to other porous materials, due to its high density and strategic alignment of active sites. The I2@N4-COF cathode achieves a remarkable specific capacity of 348 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 C, almost 1.8 times greater than that of the I2@N1-COF, while also maintaining excellent cycling stability. This integration of a porous framework with aligned nitrogen sites in the N4-COF structure not only enhances iodine redox behavior but also offers a promising design strategy for developing high-performance AZIB electrodes.

Catalytic Guaiacol Hydrodeoxygenation in Supercritical Fluids: A Review

Upgrading bio‐oil is crucial for the use of renewable fuels in the transportation sector. Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is a key technology for upgrading bio‐oil and removing oxygen as water typically under pressurized hydrogen. However, the use of high‐pressure hydrogen is limited by several factors (e.g., storage safety issues). This review primarily discusses the substantial advantages of catalytic HDO in supercritical fluids, which overcomes the need for external H2 while providing a wider range of products. In particular, this study focuses on ethanol and methanol as effective H‐donor solvents for HDO processes due to their ability to provide active hydrogen under relatively mild conditions, along with their multifunctionality as both solvents and H‐donors, and their potential to enhance mass‐ and heat‐transfer efficiencies. Guaiacol was chosen as the HDO feedstock because it can be found abundantly in bio‐oil. Furthermore, the effects of the catalyst properties (e.g., pore size, acidity, acidic and metallic site distribution) and reaction conditions on the reaction efficiency and product distribution are discussed. This review also describes technical challenges, proposes solutions, and outlines future research directions for advancing the supercritical HDO process with the aim to guide future studies toward more effective and sustainable HDO‐based biofuel‐upgrading technologies.

Resolving the Nanostructure of Carbon Nitride-Supported Single-Atom Catalysts.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are gathering significant attention in chemistry due to their unique properties, offering uniform active site distribution and enhanced selectivity. However, their precise structure often remains unclear, with multiple models proposed in the literature. Understanding the coordination environment of the active site at the atomic level is crucial for explaining catalytic activity. Here, a comprehensive study of SACs made of carbon nitride (CNx) containing isolated nickel atoms is presented. Using a combination of synthesis techniques and characterization methods including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the local environment of nickel active centers in CNx-supported SACs is investigated. These results challenge conventional structural models and propose a new architecture that better aligns with current experimental evidence. This new structure serves as a foundational step toward a rational approach to catalyst development and can facilitate more precise design and application of these innovative catalysts.

Spatial distribution of lakes in Libya and their impact on tourism development An applied study on Lake Qabr Aoun

The study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of lake sites in Libya using spatial techniques represented by remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS), and to create a geographic database, and the extent of their impact on the tourism sector, as the study was devoted to the site of Lake Qabr Aoun by analyzing it spatially and the environmental factors affecting it and its importance in attracting tourism and enhancing tourism development. The study found a random scattered pattern in the spatial distribution of lake sites in Libya; as a result of their formation and natural formation over different geological ages and times, and emphasized the interest in protecting and managing lakes in a sustainable manner to preserve the natural environment and enhance tourism sustainability in the region. Recommendations are directed to officials and those interested in the tourism, development and environment sector to make optimal use of natural water resources and enhance them in providing job opportunities and activating the tourism sector. Keywords: Spatial distribution- Geographic database- Tourism development- Qabr Aoun Lake.

The effect of carbon supports on the electrocatalytic performance of Ni-N-C catalysts for CO2 reduction to CO

Carbon-supported nickel and nitrogen co-doped (Ni-N-C) catalysts have been extensively studied as selective and active catalysts for CO2 electroreduction to CO. Most studies have focused on adjusting the coordination structure of Ni-Nx active sites, while the impact of the carbon supports has often been overlooked. In this study, a series of Ni-N-C catalysts on different carbon supports, including carbon black (CB), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT), and activated nitrogen-doped biochar (ANBC), were synthesized using a ligand-mediated method. The effect of the carbon support on the electrocatalytic performance for CO2 reduction was investigated at both low current densities, in a H-cell, and high current densities, in a MEA electrolyzer. All of the prepared Ni-N-C catalysts show good faradaic efficiencies (FE) toward CO production (up to ~90%), however, the onset potentials and partial current densities for CO production vary greatly. The textural properties of the carbon support and the distribution of Ni-Nx active sites on the carbon support are demonstrated as the main factors behind the performance differences. In particular, hierarchical porous structures with large specific surface area are helpful to facilitate mass transport and improve the dispersion of active sites, which allows for a better CO2 reduction performance of Ni-N-ANBC compared to Ni-N-CB and Ni-N-CNT. This study demonstrates the importance of the carbon support for Ni-N-C catalysts and provides new insights into the design of efficient Ni-N-C catalysts for the CO2RR.

Mechanistic study of the adsorption capabilities of heavy metals on the surface of ferrihydrite: batch sorption, modeling, and density functional theory.

Ferrihydrite (Fh), a widely distributed mineral in the environment, plays a crucial role in the geochemical cycling of elements. This study used experimental and computational approaches to investigate the adsorption behavior of seven heavy metal ions on Fh. The pH edge analysis revealed that the adsorption capacity followed the order: Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Ni2+ > Co2+ > Mn2+, with Pb2+ showed the highest adsorption. Competitive adsorption was observed in multi-metal systems, and adsorption isotherms confirmed that Pb2+ and Cu2+ exhibited significantly higher equilibrium adsorption capacities than the other ions. Diffuse Layer Model (DLM) analysis indicated that for most heavy metals (HMs), [triple bond, length as m-dash]FesOM and [triple bond, length as m-dash]FewOM were the predominant adsorption species, while for Pb2+, [triple bond, length as m-dash]FesOPb dominated. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were employed further to investigate the molecular interactions between HMs and Fh. The DFT results revealed that the distribution of surface iron sites on Fh strongly influences the adsorption process. Larger metal ions, such as Pb2+, form stronger coordination bonds with hydroxyl groups on the Fh surface, leading to distinct adsorption mechanisms compared to smaller ions. These findings, combining experimental and computational data, emphasize the critical role of surface iron site distribution and ion size in governing the adsorption behavior of HMs on Fh.

Defecation Site Preferences and Spatial Ecological Segregation of Forest Musk Deer and Siberian Roe Deer in North China.

The forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) and Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) are browsers with a broad sympatric distribution in North and Southwest China. However, little is known about their spatial utilization of microhabitats and habitats. This study, conducted on Huanglong Mountain in China, analyzed the defecation site distribution, indicating preferences of forest musk deer and Siberian roe deer for their habitat demands. Using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), we compared the defecation site preferences of both species and further examined their spatial utilization patterns. The results indicated that the primary factors influencing defecation site preferences for forest musk deer were slope (15.79%), elevation (4.26%), herbaceous cover (19.93%), herb height (33.73%), and tree diversity (15.64%). Conversely, for Siberian roe deer, elevation (54.63%) and herbaceous cover (29.31%) were the key factors. Significant differences were found in elevation (p < 0.001) and herbaceous diversity (p < 0.01) between the defecation sites of the two species, with additional notable differences in slope position, tree diversity, and average tree height (p < 0.05). Furthermore, forest musk deer primarily utilized broadleaf forests, coniferous forests, mixed conifer-broadleaf forests, and sparse woodlands. In contrast, Siberian roe deer utilized broadleaf forests, sparse woodlands, and coniferous forests, showing a significant difference (p = 0.01). These findings suggest distinct spatial ecological segregation between forest musk deer and Siberian roe deer regarding their microhabitat preferences and vegetation type utilization at the habitat scale.

Epidemiologic characteristics of 22,086 patients discharged from the Department of Orthopaedic Trauma at a military hospital between 2013 and 2022: a retrospective real-world study

Background To analyse the epidemiological characteristics of orthopaedic trauma patients and thereby optimize healthcare resource allocation and improve treatment efficiency. Materials and Methods Relying on the hospital information system (HIS) database, we retrospectively analysed the epidemiological characteristics of orthopaedic trauma inpatients in our hospital between 2013 and 2022, including patient demographic information, causes of injury, location of injury and hospitalization costs. Results The median age of the patients was 36 (26–47) years old; the age stratification of the patients was highest in the proportion of patients aged 40–50 years old (29.23%); hypertension was the most common among the patients’ comorbidities (1.29%); patients’ occupation was highest in heavy labourers such as farmers and workers, about 63.04% (n = 13923); patients’ admissions were mainly in the form of emergencies (n = 16875, 76.41%); and patients’ median hospitalization time was 7 (5, 12) days. The highest percentage of the cause of injury was due to exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (75.4%), followed by falls (16.14%) and traffic accidents (6.49%). The highest percentage of cause of injury in all age groups was due to inanimate mechanical force, and the percentage of patients with falls increased with age, and there was a positive correlation between age groups and the percentage of patients with falls (r = 0.964, p < 0.01). The highest percentage of patients with injuries to the upper extremities was about 74%. The distribution of injury sites in all age groups was highest in the upper extremities. Age was positively correlated with trunk injuries (r = 0.469, p = 0.203). The median hospitalization cost for patients over a 10-year period was approximately $1,100. Conclusions By analysing the epidemiological characteristics of patients, a general profile of local orthopaedic trauma patients was established, which can help in the development of disease prevention and interventions.

Cultural heritage site selection characteristics and the impact of the natural environment in Jinan city, China

This study aims to explore the spatial distribution and site selection characteristics of cultural heritage sites, as well as the impact of the natural environment on the site’s location. A total of 448 cultural heritage sites in Jinan City (Shandong province), which have been listed as key cultural relic protection units from before the Qin Dynasty to after the Qing Dynasty (ca. 7500 BCE–present), were analyzed using spatial analysis tools in ArcGIS 10.6 software. The main research findings are as follows: (1) cultural heritage sites have a wide distribution and few cores and are characterized by spatial agglomeration and the formation of a single core area around the Lixia District; (2) in terms of spatiotemporal evolution, cultural heritage sites follow a “diffusion–aggregation–diffusion–aggregation” trend, exhibiting a “southwest–northeast–northwest” trajectory, with characteristics of continuity and a centripetal pattern; and (3) cultural heritage sites are mainly distributed in alluvial plains with heights ranging from 2.6–100 m, slopes ranging from 0–5°, and distances ≤ 1 km from water systems. The more recent the construction year of the cultural heritage site is to modern times, the more closely its type is to production and living, and the more relevant it is to the natural environment.

Methane Valorization through Direct Conversion to Methanol Using Catalysts Based on Copper-Modified Natural Clays

Introduction: A series of Cu-montmorillonite clay composites (MtCs), prepared through cation exchange and wet impregnation with varying amounts of copper, have been tested for the direct oxidation of methane to methanol. Methods: The catalysts were characterized using several analytical techniques, including surface area BET, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Ammonia Temperature-Programmed Desorption (NH3-TPD), and pyridine desorption, followed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Catalytic tests were conducted at various temperatures and pressures using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent. Results: The characterization results indicated the incorporation of copper species to not significantly modify the clay composite morphology. The TEM images of the samples with low copper content (0.8 Cu wt.%) showed the copper particles to be uniformly distributed. Conversely, for the higher copper content samples (3.5 Cu wt.%) prepared by wet impregnation, the copper particles distributed around the montmorillonite clay composites. It has been observed that silica (MtC-Si) and aluminum (MtC-SiAl) montmorillonite clay composites have exhibited notable differences in acid site strength and distribution, influencing the dispersion and type of copper species being active for direct oxidation of methane to methanol. Conclusion: The findings have indicated the well-dispersed copper species, favored by the structure MtCs, to resulted in enhanced catalytic activity for methane’s oxidation to methanol.

Tuning the Spatial Distribution and Chemical Nature of Acid Sites in MCM-22 Zeolite by Atomically Dispersed Lanthanum Species for Alkylation of 2-Methylnaphthalene

Tuning the Spatial Distribution and Chemical Nature of Acid Sites in MCM-22 Zeolite by Atomically Dispersed Lanthanum Species for Alkylation of 2-Methylnaphthalene

Constructing Heterojunction Photocatalyst Systems with Spatial Distribution of Au Single Atoms for CO2 Reduction.

In single-atomic photocatalyst systems, the spatial distribution of single atoms on heterojunctions and its impact on photocatalytic processes, particularly on carrier dynamics and the CO2 reduction process involving multielectron reactions, remains underexplored. To address this gap, a WO3/TiO2 nanotube heterojunction with a spatially selective distribution of Au single atoms was developed using an oxygen vacancy anchoring strategy for CO2 photoreduction. By anchoring Au atoms onto the WO3 or TiO2 components, a substantial number of active sites are generated and the electron transfer pathways from the heterojunction toward Au sites are formed, thereby enhancing carrier separation and concentration. As a result, the total yield of CO2 reduction products increases by 6.3 times and 3.9 times, respectively. More importantly, due to significant differences in adsorption properties, energy band structures, and reaction energy barrier, as well as a 2-fold difference in carrier lifetime, the selective distribution of Au single-atom sites results in completely different CO2 photoreduction products: when Au atoms are anchored on WO3 and TiO2 components, the product selectivity is 67.6% CH4 and 82.9% CO, respectively. This study clarifies the vital role of the spatial distribution of single atoms on the selectivity of electron-demanding products.

The CoNi@C/Mo1.33C i-MXene Derived from Novel (Mo2/3R1/3)2GaC (R = Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu) Nanolaminations for Electrochemical Application in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Supercapacitance.

2D Mo1.33C i-MXene is highly promising for electrochemical applications. Here, a synthetic strategy is reported, enabling the uniform distribution of carbon-coated CoNi (CoNi@C) nanoparticles on the vacancy-ordered Mo1.33C i-MXene nanosheets, thereby fully exposing the active sites of CoNi@C. First, five novel Ga-containing (Mo2/3R1/3)2GaC (R = Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu) i-MAX phases are synthesized as the precursor and found to be crystallized into Cmcm structure, followed by hydrothermal etching and delamination. Subsequently, CoNi- MOF is in situ grown on derived Mo1.33C i-MXene nanosheets. By modifying the loading mass and annealing condition, CoNi-MOF is transformed into the CoNi@C and the CoNi@C/Mo1.33C displayed outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction activity with low overpotential (73mV at 10 mA cm-2) and small Tafel slope (84 mV dec-1). Moreover, the gravimetric capacitance is also increased from 68 F g-1 in CoNi@C to 575.1 F g-1 in CoNi@C/Mo1.33C-50 at 0.5 A g-1. After ≈5000 cycles, activation is complete, and the specific capacitance reaches its maximum value. Additionally, the specific capacitance remains stable at 95% after additional 10000 cycles. This work improves the catalytic and supercapacitor performance of composite nanomaterials by optimizing the distribution of active sites on Mo1.33C i-MXene, and also extends the application of Mo1.33C i-MXene.

Effect of Strain on the Photocatalytic Reaction of Graphitic Carbon Nitride: Insight from Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy.

Strain engineering in two-dimensional nanomaterials holds significant potential for modulating the lattice and band structure, particularly through localized strain, which enables modulation at specific regions. Despite the remarkable effects of local strain, the relationships among local strain, spatial correlation of photogenerated charge carriers, and photocatalytic performance remain elusive. The current study coupled single-molecule localization microscopy with coordinate-based colocalization (CBC) analysis to explain these relationships. The methodology involved mapping the spatial distributions of photoinduced oxidation and reduction reaction sites across graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, quantifying and spatially resolving their spatial correlation, and also evaluating their photocatalytic activity. The study examined 65 individual g-C3N4 nanosheets, revealing interparticle and intraparticle heterogeneity, which was classified based on their CBC score distributions. Among the 65 g-C3N4 nanosheets, type A nanosheets predominated (45 out of 65) and demonstrated both correlated and noncorrelated subregions along some wrinkles. In contrast, type B nanosheets (20 out of 65) were primarily characterized by noncorrelated subregions with minimal correlated localizations. The coexistence of both noncorrelated and correlated subregions inferred the structure of the wrinkles as folding wrinkles, which have larger tensile-strained areas than rippling wrinkles. Folding wrinkles promote colocalization through the formation of type I band alignment at tensile-strained subregions. This band alignment also enhances photocatalytic activity through a funneling effect and improved light absorption, leading to higher specific activity in correlated subregions compared to noncorrelated ones. The role of strain-induced band alignment in modulating the spatial correlation of the photoredox reaction and the photocatalytic performance at the subregion level is highlighted.

The Synthesis, Characteristics, and Application of Hierarchical Porous Materials in Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reactions

The reduction of carbon dioxide to valuable chemical products could favor the establishment of a sustainable carbon cycle, which has attracted much attention in recent years. Developing efficient catalysts plays a vital role in the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) process, but with great challenges in achieving a uniform distribution of catalytic active sites and rapid mass transfer properties. Hierarchical porous materials with a porous hierarchy show great promise for application in CO2RRs owing to the high specific surface area and superior porous connection. Plenty of breakthroughs in recent CO2RR studies have been recently achieved regarding hierarchical porous materials, indicating that a summary of hierarchical porous materials for carbon dioxide reduction reactions is highly desired and significant. In this paper, we summarize the recent breakthroughs of hierarchical porous materials in CO2RRs, including classical synthesis methods, advanced characterization technologies, and novel CO2RR strategies. Moreover, by highlighting several significant works, the advantages of hierarchical porous materials for CO2RRs are analyzed and revealed. Additionally, a perspective on hierarchical porous materials for CO2RRs (e.g., challenges, potential catalysts, promising strategies, etc.) for future study is also presented. It can be anticipated that this comprehensive review will provide valuable insights for further developing efficient alternative hierarchical porous catalysts for CO2 reduction reactions.

Room Temperature Synthesis of Gradient-Distributed Ni/Fe Sites in Layered Double Hydroxides for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

NiFe-based materials, especially NiFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs), are recognized as the most promising non-precious metal electrocatalysts for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the precisely designed distribution of active sites for enhancing activities is still significantly restricted due to the lack of reasonable modulation strategies. Herein, sulfur doped Ni/Fe gradient-distributed LDH (GD-NiFe LDH/S) is fabricated by facile air-induced strategy at room temperature. This strategy accelerates the growth process with abundant CO2 and O2 in air, which promotes the inward migration of Fe species, resulting in gradient distribution with Ni/Fe-rich edge/planar. This allows significant enhancement of Ni/Fe synergistic effect, which plays a vital role in OER. Moreover, the sharp pine-like morphology of GD-NiFe LDH/S endows superhydrophilicity/aerophobicity characteristics, facilitating electrolyte penetrating and oxygen releasing. The optimized GD-NiFe LDH/S delivers superior OER performance with low overpotentials of 234 and 270mV at 10 and 100mA cm-2. The assembled anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer only requires 1.90V at 1.0 A cm-2 and 2.10V at 1.5 A cm-2 with robust stability for at least 130 h. This work introduces a facile air-induced strategy under room temperature to controllably design active site distributions of LDH for enhanced OER performance.

Primary head and neck lymphoid neoplasms in adolescents and young adults: demographics, distribution and survival outcomes.

Primary head and neck lymphoid neoplasms(PHNLN) are described as a series of lymphoid system-derived neoplasms which originally arising from head and neck region. Our study is aimed to present a panoramic view of PHNLN among adolescent and young adult(AYA) patients aged from 15 to 39 years-old. The individual patient information was obtained from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results(SEER) database. Male patients outnumbered female patients in most pathological subtypes, with noticeable male predilection observed in Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). Classical Hodgkin lymphoma(CHL) accounted for 92.23% of Hodgkin lymphoma. Mature B-cell neoplasms constituted the majority of non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL). DLBCL was the most common pathological subtype, followed by follicular lymphoma(FL). Tonsil, salivary glands (especially parotid gland) and nasal cavity were the most three frequent extranodal organs involved. Patients with extranodal involvement exhibited worse prognosis compared to those with lymph node confinement. Patients who suffered from precursor NHL and mature T/NK-cell NHL exhibited prolonged disease-specific survival compared to those with HL, PCN and mature B-cell NHL. AYA patients with absence of other SPM showed dramatic lower risk of death than those with occurrence of SPM. Patients with HL had a favourable survival advantage over those with mature B-cell NHL. Patients with precursor NHL and mature T/NK-cell NHL were at remarkable higher risk of death than those with mature B-cell NHL. Our study elucidated the demographics, distribution of anatomic sites and pathological subtypes, and survival outcomes of PHNLN among AYA population, enhancing comprehension of this rare sort of cancer entities.

Estimation of the distribution of deflation sites on the territory of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug by data of remote sensing

Geoinformation assessment of deflation processes in the Arctic conditions makes it possible to move to a new technological level in the planning of forest reclamation of the landscapes of the Arctic zone. The use of forest reclamation and phytomelioration of accumulative forms makes it possible to control desertification processes. To achieve the purpose of the study – to assess the spatial distribution of deflated surface areas on the territory of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a geoinformation analysis of current space sensing data was carried out and the degree of degradation (deflation and anthropogenic transformation) of the territory in controlled areas was revealed, on the basis of which the necessary measures are proposed to prevent land deflation and it is planned to create an information system for monitoring and forecasting the state of soil and vegetation cover. The decoding of satellite images of deflation sites in the research area made it possible to develop vector cartographic GIS layers, which show selected coastal, continental not grown and overgrown massifs. The conducted geomorphological differentiation of deflation sites makes it possible to effectively use such parameters as tiering, exposure, meso- and microclimatic differences, as well as plan anti-deflation measures. Vector cartographic layers of the spatial distribution of sandy accumulative forms have been developed and their morphometric characteristics have been determined, the features of the development of continental and coastal deflation have been established, the areas of which are 31.51 and 20.86 thousand hectares, respectively, the total number of sites allocated by vector contours exceeds 166 thousand, and their sizes vary from 0.001 hectares to more than 5.5 thousand hectares. As a result of a spatial assessment of 68 large sandy massifs overgrown with vegetation, their area of 543.85 thousand hectares has been established.

Uncovering the Dynamics of Li-Au Alloying and Li Nucleation at the Au/LiPON Interface with In Situ Z Contrast and Surface Roughness Contrast Imaging via Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Controlling the nucleation, growth, and dissolution of Li is crucial for the high cycling stability in rechargeable Li metal batteries. The overpotential for Li nucleation (ηnc) on Li alloys such as Li-Au is generally lower than that on metal current collectors (CCs) with very limited Li solubility like Cu. However, the alloying process of CC and its impact on the Li nucleation kinetics remain unclear. Herein, we experimentally investigate the Li nucleation mechanism on Li-Au alloys using scanning electron microscopy with multiple detectors to distinguish the atomic number and topography contrast. Nonequilibrium processes near the Au CC film/lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) glass electrolyte interface were observed. Local dissolution of Li occurs concurrently with the Li plating process. This phenomenon indicates that Li nucleates as a metastable phase in Li-Au alloy CC films during Li plating due to the substantially lower interfacial energy of Li with the alloy phase. This low interfacial energy also leads to a low ηnc. Moreover, the local Li redissolution process results in a nonrandom spatial distribution of Li growth sites. Consequently, the alloy layer acts as a buffer, facilitating a more uniform distribution of the reaction sites.