A Unique Dual-Shell Structure with Highly Active Ni@SiC/CNT/CNF Microwave Catalysts

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors reported the construction of a multisystem Ni@SiC/CNTs/CNFs microwave catalyst by electrospinning process. By controlling the content of Ni in the composite, a unique double shell structure and double coating layer are catalyzed on the top of CNTs. The structure can generate plasma discharge under microwave irradiation and effectively degrade the dye in wastewater. It is recommended that it be accepted after minor revisions.

1. There is something wrong with the XPS spectra of Ni 2p in Figure 3d. The content of Ni is very high, but why is the peak of Ni so insignificant? Retest is recommended.

2. Why is the energy spectrum of element C not marked in the EDS analysis in Figure 5e.

3. In Figure 7, the specific meaning of "d 30 min" should be clearly expressed in the legend.

4. The expressions "seconds" & "s", and "hours" & "h" should be unified. In addition, all abbreviations should be marked when they first appear, such as "PCS, PAN, RLmin, DNF, DMF, MB".

5. “the reaction rates of the two materials were 0.00254 and 0.76005”, Why is there no unit for reaction rate.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Recommendation

Major Revision

Comments to Author:

No.: catalysts- 3378141

Title: Unique dual-shell structure with highly active Ni@SiC/CNTs/CNFs microwave catalysts

Major comments:

1.      We recommend adding several references to review articles in the Introduction section that describe the topic of the authors' research well:

·        Anuj Kumar, Yun Kuang, Zheng Liang, Xiaoming Sun, Microwave Chemistry, Recent Advancements and Eco-Friendly Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Nanoarchitectures and Their Applications: A Review, Materials Today Nano, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtnano.2020.100076

·        Strekalova, A.A.; Shesterkina, A.A.; Kustov, A.L.; Kustov, L.M. Recent Studies on the Application of Microwave-Assisted Method for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts and Catalytic Hydrogenation Processes. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 8272. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098272

·        Kustov, L.M.; Kustov, A.L.; Salmi, T. Microwave-Assisted Conversion of Carbohydrates. Molecules 2022, 27, 1472. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051472

·        Li, H.; Zhao, Z.; Xiouras, C.; Stefanidis, G.D.; Li, X.; Gao, X. Fundamentals and applications of microwave heating to chemicals separation processes. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 2019, 114, 109316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109316

2.      The authors should be given a transcript at the first mention of abbreviations in the text: PCS, PAN, DNF et al.

3.      What is the « receiver» described in the section Preparation of Ni@SiC/CNTs/CNFs composites?

4.      The abbreviations of the NSCT15 and NSCT30 catalysts are not entirely clear. What is meant by the numbers 15 and 30? Is this the mass content of nickel? The text mentions a weight of 0.15 g and 0.30 g. Please clarify this point in more detail.

5.      Has there been a comparison of catalytic degradation under the influence of microwave and non-microwave radiation? How long did the reaction take place under the influence of microwave radiation?

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you very much, the article has been significantly improved and finalized, now everything is clear and understandable and the article deserves publication in the journal

Author Response

Thank you for your careful review of this manuscript and your constructive comments, which we will fully incorporate to improve the manuscript. Thank you again for your hard work in reviewing the manuscript!