Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

At first glance, the manuscript titled "Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers” seems interesting, but deeper inspection leads to the conclusion that the work is in the initial phase.

 

Bearing in mind that this is a review paper, it is very superficially written. Discussion is very limited and much of the potential was lost.

For example, the author implies that very different procedures can obtain hybrids, but the information listed in the paper is more of a technical nature, without innovation, concrete experimental data (what is shown is very sketchy) and detailed analysis of the same.

 

I would ask the authors to supplement the research.

It cannot be considered for publication due to insufficient and incomplete presentation.

 

 

 

Author Response

Reviewer 1

Thanks for your review. I tried my best to revise the manuscript and avoid my baroque tendencies in writing. Accordingly, the manuscript has been rewritten, slimmed and information has been added, in particular the part on CNTs. In a review one generally tries to collect data and information and does not enter much in technical details, unless, obviously, he is describing technical aspects. I wrote a long introduction to show that the concept has been part of human history for very long times, and that its meaning changed significantly. I tried to show that tendencies in Science move from complexity to simplicity and back to complexity, once our knowledge has clarified some unknown aspects. 

• The description of the statistical model has been maintained in qualitative form, since it has been discussed in some detail elsewhere.
• Figure 1 and 5 were fully redrawn: I am pretty sure that they make the manuscript more appealing to the reader.
• A reduced number of new references was introduced.
• The part on calorimetry and other experimental ad hoc methods has been deleted. Information on the methods to be used and on the results that may be obtained has been given. The same holds for possible technological applications, which are introduced at the end of each paragraph and in the conclusions, as well.
• Some additional information on the formation of silica and titania nanoparticles, and on the functionalization of carbon nanotubes has been added.

 

Thank you a lot again.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is clear and may be of interested to colloid scientists. It can be published after minor revisions, as stated below.

- The formation of liquid crystalline (i.e. micellar cubic, hexagonal, etc.) nanoparticles formed by dispersing oppositely-charged polyelectrolyte-surfactant mixtures could be explored, considering their relevant applications in different fields.

- Length of scale bar in Fig. 8 is missing.

- English editing is recommended.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

- English editing is recommended.

Author Response

Reviewer 2.

Thanks for revision. My reply is given below.

• The bar has been introduced and its size indicated.
• I tried to revise and edit the English, avoiding my unwanted baroque tendency.
• I added the sentence “The formation of liquid crystalline materials from hybrids is well known. ss-DNA-CNTs adducts form nematic structures, characterized by a significant viscoelastic behavior. The transition from a random dispersion to an ordered, uniaxial, structure is assisted by addition of polymer. The formation of nematic droplets, conversely, is aided by addition of a positively charged protein, or a cationic surfactant, to ss-DNA-CNTs dispersions. A peel is formed on the nematic domain.” It is also possible, but not pertinent in this context, to disperse CNTs in nematic fluids.

 

Thanks a lot for your patience and useful suggestions.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript discusses the formation of hybrid colloids made with polymers, emphasizing the interactions between polymers and nanoparticles (NPs) in non-covalent and covalent modes. It highlights the importance of polymer adsorption onto nanoparticles to prevent coagulation and undesired phase separation, leading to the creation of stable hybrid colloids with applications in various fields. The study also delves into the mechanisms governing hybrid formation, ranging from electrostatic interactions to other modes, and compares the stabilizing effects of polymers and surfactants in NP-polymer interactions. Overall, the research sheds light on the intricate processes involved in creating hybrid colloids and their significance in bio-intended applications.

Publication is recommended, but the following points could be improved:

1. Further elaboration on the experimental methods employed to study the stability and properties of the hybrid colloids, such as characterization techniques and data analysis, would strengthen the scientific rigor of the research.
2. Discussing the potential applications of the hybrid colloids in specific fields or industries could provide valuable insights into the practical implications of the study.
3. Addressing the limitations or challenges encountered during the research process and how they were overcome would contribute to a more comprehensive discussion of the findings.
4. Considering the broader implications of the study in the context of current advancements in hybrid colloids and potential future research directions could add depth to the conclusion section.

Author Response

Reviewer 3

 

Thank you for patience and well documented revision. I did my best in leading information on such a wide field to convergence. The following is my reply to the questions you addressed me.

• Additional experimental evidence on most of the reported items has been added. For instance, the presence of liquid crystalline order has been clarified. The same holds for the characterization of polymer-surfactant systems.
• Having been involved in technical applications of polymer-surfactant systems, as a consultant, I mentioned the case of nappies for children. I suppose that technical advances in the field have been introduced in such baby care formulations.
• The questions you raised in the third point of your revision find reply in many points of the present version of this manuscript. Only after my retirement, I understood that the many items of which I focused during my former scientific activity are much more close each to the other than I supposed before.
• Some additional information on possible uses of hybrids have been disseminated at the end of each paragraph and in the conclusions, as well.

Thank you again.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

After reading the revised document entitled “Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers” it can be concluded that the author has improved the paper.

A better presentation of results was made, which contributed to a better understanding of this theme.

However,

 The sentence “All such items are well described in selected articles [78–83]”

together with the references does not belong to the abstract, its essence should be included in the paper's discussion.

 

Figure 8 is of deficient quality. Considering its importance for the paper, it would be good if the author replaces it, maybe by another author if there is one. „

 Please, rewrite the Abstract and Conclusion sections. It is necessary to highlight the main findings with special reference to the importance of Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers.

I can recommend the publication of the following manuscript after minor revisions.

 

Author Response

After reading the revised document entitled “Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers” it can be concluded that the author has improved the paper.

A better presentation of results was made, which contributed to a better understanding of this theme.

However,

 The sentence “All such items are well described in selected articles [78–83]” together with the references does not belong to the abstract, its essence should be included in the paper's discussion. The part you focused on, which is located in the Conclusions, has been rewritten as ”Most such items have been described in selected articles, dealing, respectively, with the polymer organization in the coronas around NPs [78], and on their topology, as well [79]. Other contributions deal with the organization modes of polymers, mostly PEO, on the surfaces of NPs [80,81]. Even the biomolecular fate of properly functionalized NPs entering in biological tissues, including malignant ones, has been considered in some detail [82,83]. Future applications imply using more refined versions of the aforementioned adducts, bearing functionalities that allow adhesion onto topical points in cells and tissues. These are the bases of modern molecular medicine approaches.”

Figure 8 is of deficient quality. Considering its importance for the paper, it would be good if the author replaces it, maybe by another author if there is one. „ I have replaced the figure.

 Please, rewrite the Abstract and Conclusion sections. It is necessary to highlight the main findings with special reference to the importance of Hybrid Colloids Made with Polymers. It has been done

I can recommend the publication of the following manuscript after minor revisions.

Thank you again for collaboration.