Photocatalytic Activity of TiNbC-Modified TiO2 during Hydrogen Evolution and CO2 Reduction
, Dmitry S. Shtarev 2,3, Ekaterina A. Kozlova 4, Anna Yu. Kurenkova 4, Angelina V. Zhurenok 4, Anna V. Shtareva 5, Mikhail S. Gurin 3, Gleb I. Tselikov 1, Gleb V. Tikhonowski 6, Aleksey Arsenin 1 and Valentyn Volkov 1
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Please refer to the attached file.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The article is devoted to the study of the photocatalytic activity of heterostructures based on titanium oxide and titanium and niobium carbides. The article can be published after the elimination of minor comments:
1. Adjust the use of abbreviations
1.1. Missing abbreviation: TMD
1.2. The used abbreviation is not used anywhere else in the text: (NIR)
2. Use a uniform designation of units of measurement in the text, in Figure 5 and in tables 1,2: μmol/h*g
3. Correct if this is an error (line 91): Ti 3 C 2 T x
4. Correct the link to the picture:
...with a wavelength of 380 nm (b), sampling every 15 minutes....
...aqueous ethanol solution (a). Suspension consisting...
Author Response
We are grateful for your review of our work and your valuable comments. We have performed additional measurements on sample characterization and revised the manuscript in accordance with your comments.
question 1: Adjust the use of abbreviations
1.1. Missing abbreviation: TMD
1.2. The used abbreviation is not used anywhere else in the text: (NIR)
Answer 1:
1.1 Added a transcription of the abbreviation TMD in the manuscript text.
1.2 The use of the abbreviation NIR was removed from the text of the manuscript.
question 2: Use a uniform designation of units of measurement in the text, in Figure 5 and in tables 1,2: μmol/h*g
Answer 2: Corrected everywhere in the text.
question 3: Correct if this is an error (line 91): Ti 3 C 2 T x
Answer 3: No, it's not a mistake. Tx refers to the end tails in the MXene after etching from the MAX phases of aluminum. Since the etching takes place in a mixture of acids, the broken bonds attract elements such as O, H, F, Cl, OH. In general they are denoted as Tx.
question 4: Correct the link to the picture:
...with a wavelength of 380 nm (b), sampling every 15 minutes....
...aqueous ethanol solution (a). Suspension consisting...
Answer 4: Figure references have been corrected.
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript appears to be well-written. However, it lacks detailed characterization to support the photocatalytic activity of TiNbC-modified TiO2 during water splitting. I recommend that the authors provide absorption and emission spectra to strengthen their findings. Additionally, the authors should explain how simple ultrasonic mixing contributes to the composite effect on the material, and how it enhances the physical and chemical properties of the nanocomposite. It would be beneficial for the authors to include a schematic diagram of the material to support its application. Once these major revisions are completed, the manuscript may be considered for acceptance.
Author Response
We are grateful for your review of our work and your valuable comments. We have performed additional measurements on sample characterization and revised the manuscript in accordance with your comments.
Question: The manuscript appears to be well-written. However, it lacks detailed characterization to support the photocatalytic activity of TiNbC-modified TiO2 during water splitting. I recommend that the authors provide absorption and emission spectra to strengthen their findings. Additionally, the authors should explain how simple ultrasonic mixing contributes to the composite effect on the material, and how it enhances the physical and chemical properties of the nanocomposite. It would be beneficial for the authors to include a schematic diagram of the material to support its application. Once these major revisions are completed, the manuscript may be considered for acceptance.
Answer:
We additionally performed measurements of the absorption and emission spectra, which we contributed to the text of the manuscript. We would also like to clarify that the synergistic effect of the composition was certainly not achieved by simple ultrasonic mixing. Mixing in acetone was the first step to homogenize the future heterostructure. The effect of the composition was achieved by the subsequent calcination at 400-500 C.
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The authors made all the necessary modifications to my concern, the manuscript can be accepted for publication now.
Author Response
Thank you very much.
