Study of the Application of Recycled Gold Nanoparticles in Coatings for Eyewear Lenses
, Djuro Koruga 3,4, Zorana Njegovan 3,4, Žiga Jelen 1, Tilen Švarc 1, Andrej Horvat 5 and Rebeka Rudolf 1,2,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This paper, entitled as “Study of the application of recycled gold nanoparticles in coatings for eyewear lenses”, described achievements of functional properties provided by gold nanoparticles in a commercially established C60 fullerene-coated eyewear product. However, I do not think it is suitable for publication now. My comments:
1. The introduction is too wordy and should be refined.
2. Why did the author use the recycled gold nanoparticles for eye lenses, and not elsewhere?. As far as I know, the characteristics of recycled gold nanoparticles are unstable.
3. How about the use life of eyewear lenses coated with Fullerene Carbon 60 and recycled gold nanoparticles?
4. The graph plot is not normalized, such as figure 5, figure 6, and figure 7 are lack of the names of the axis
5. Other languages layout errors
Appropriate editing of English language might be required.
Author Response
REVIWER no. 1
This paper, entitled as “Study of the application of recycled gold nanoparticles in coatings for eyewear lenses”, described achievements of functional properties provided by gold nanoparticles in a commercially established C60 fullerene-coated eyewear product. However, I do not think it is suitable for publication now. My comments:
- The introduction is too wordy and should be refined.
The introduction was shortened by about 15 lines for better text flow. Some repetitions of the content were removed. The main considerations are covered in the introduction: use of AuNPs in eyewear, their properties, synthesis of AuNPs, environmental impact of obtaining gold, options for recycling AuNP from rapid tests, commercial uses of nanoparticles in eyewear and the aim of the study, combining all of these aspects. We believe that shortening the introduction further would omit some important points for understanding the aim of the study.
- Why did the author use the recycled gold nanoparticles for eye lenses, and not elsewhere?. As far as I know, the characteristics of recycled gold nanoparticles are unstable.
We do not use recycled gold for contact lenses (which is not allowed), but for glasses lenses. We agree that recycled gold can be used for other industrial purposes. The stability of recycled gold can be achieved by adequate chemical and chemical-physical procedures. The described process for reusing the dissolved gold with lyophilisation has proven to produce stabile dried nanoparticles, able to be used in other products. The study aims to evaluate the use of recycled AuNPs for commercial eyewear, which would be beneficial for the production of these products from an environmental standpoint.
- How about the use life of eyewear lenses coated with Fullerene Carbon 60 and recycled gold nanoparticles?
As for the lifespan of spectacle lenses, it will primarily depend on external protection. Regarding the recycled gold and its interaction with C60 during the vacuum vaporization process, the volume ratios of C60 and AuNPs are determined so as to obtain an optimal volume fit, and thus the stability of their structures. Atoms of transparent materials can be added in order to achieve maximum volumetric fit.
- The graph plot is not normalized, such as figure 5, figure 6, and figure 7 are lack of the names of the axis,
Figures 5 and 6 have name of axis (but small font): y- Transmittance (%), x – wavenumber (cm-1)
Figure. 7. Average light intensity based on ten measurements during clean sky (sunlight variation 0.8%). Measured light intensity across UV, visible light, and NIR wavelengths of a lens with a fullerene C60 and AuNPs` coating, and commercial eyewear lenses, with a comparison between them and sunlight. The AuNPs have a small effect on absorption spectra to compare with C60 spectra in the range of 400-750 nm.
- Other languages layout errors -
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Appropriate editing of English language might be required.
The text of the manuscript was reviewed again by a native speaker.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The present study delves into the utilization of recycled gold nanoparticles as coatings for eyewear lenses. The researchers have successfully extracted gold particles from 16 lateral flow tests designed for rapid recycling purposes. These reclaimed gold particles have been applied as coatings for eyewear lenses, a development of considerable significance within the domains of glass technology and materials recycling. In order to ensure the scholarly rigor and comprehensive quality of this work prior to its publication, several pertinent considerations merit attention.
Firstly, within Section 2.6, it is recommended that the term "refraction indexes" be amended to "refractive indices" to accurately reflect the intended nomenclature and maintain precision in the discourse.
Secondly, in Section 2.10, elucidation on the methodology employed for the quantification of light intensity is warranted. An in-depth exposition of the experimental configuration, encompassing both procedural specifics and the instrumentation employed, is requisite for the thorough comprehension and reproducibility of the undertaken measurements.
Thirdly, Section 2.11 necessitates an explication of the acronym "ATR" to provide unambiguous clarification for readers unfamiliar with the term.
Fourthly, meticulous referencing of the figures in the body of the text is advocated. Figures such as Figure 1 (a) to (d) and Figure 2 (a) to (d) ought to be appropriately alluded to within the textual content for enhanced clarity and contextualization.
Fifthly, in Figures 5-7, it is suggested that greater attention be directed towards the refinement of the visual representations. This entails the inclusion of comprehensive axis legends, a fundamental component ensuring proper interpretation of the graphic data.
Lastly, with regard to the conclusion section, it is advised that an alternative narrative structure be embraced. Departing from the numbered format would bestow a more nuanced and eloquent closure to the discourse.
minor correction is needed
Author Response
REVIEW 2:
The present study delves into the utilization of recycled gold nanoparticles as coatings for eyewear lenses. The researchers have successfully extracted gold particles from 16 lateral flow tests designed for rapid recycling purposes. These reclaimed gold particles have been applied as coatings for eyewear lenses, a development of considerable significance within the domains of glass technology and materials recycling. In order to ensure the scholarly rigor and comprehensive quality of this work prior to its publication, several pertinent considerations merit attention.
Firstly, within Section 2.6, it is recommended that the term "refraction indexes" be amended to "refractive indices" to accurately reflect the intended nomenclature and maintain precision in the discourse.
Comment taken into account; text corrected.
Secondly, in Section 2.10, elucidation on the methodology employed for the quantification of light intensity is warranted. An in-depth exposition of the experimental configuration, encompassing both procedural specifics and the instrumentation employed, is requisite for the thorough comprehension and reproducibility of the undertaken measurements.
Measurements were made during a very sunny day, the sky was cloudless, and the variation of sunlight during ten measurements was only 0.8%. The intensity of light passing through the lenses was measured, compared to a commercially obtainable eyewear lens and the control of sunlight.
Thirdly, Section 2.11 necessitates an explication of the acronym "ATR" to provide unambiguous clarification for readers unfamiliar with the term.
Explanation added.
Fourthly, meticulous referencing of the figures in the body of the text is advocated. Figures such as Figure 1 (a) to (d) and Figure 2 (a) to (d) ought to be appropriately alluded to within the textual content for enhanced clarity and contextualization.
The references to the images were added to the text for greater clarity of the content.
Fifthly, in Figures 5-7, it is suggested that greater attention be directed towards the refinement of the visual representations. This entails the inclusion of comprehensive axis legends, a fundamental component ensuring proper interpretation of the graphic data.
Figures 5-7 have been corrected as requested.
Lastly, with regard to the conclusion section, it is advised that an alternative narrative structure be embraced. Departing from the numbered format would bestow a more nuanced and eloquent closure to the discourse.
The conclusions are made in accordance with the instructions.
Comments on the Quality of English Language - minor correction is needed.
The text of the manuscript was reviewed again by a native speaker.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The present paper is of high interest, searching a metodology to reuse gold, a precious resourse, from unused Covid tests, in order to prepare a functional film for glass lences. This recycling aspect is very important in modern word. The presentation of the tecniques and their use are good and logically used.
I suggest only to change Figure 7 of the absorption spectra because uf low quality. For these reason, I suggest to publish after minor revision.
Some minor Typos can be found, but the overall quality of the presentation is Good.
Author Response
REVIEW 3:
The present paper is of high interest, searching a metodology to reuse gold, a precious resourse, from unused Covid tests, in order to prepare a functional film for glass lences. This recycling aspect is very important in modern word. The presentation of the tecniques and their use are good and logically used.
I suggest only to change Figure 7 of the absorption spectra because uf low quality. For these reason, I suggest to publish after minor revision. -
Figure 7 has been corrected as requested by the reviewer.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
The text of the manuscript was reviewed again by a native speaker.
Some minor Typos can be found, but the overall quality of the presentation is Good.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
The paper presents a study on some nanoparticles recycled from rapid tests from the conjugate tape and their use in contact lens coating. It is an interesting idea that could still pose problems regarding the purification methods, which are quite complex. But it is an interesting idea considering the recent emphasis on recycling. From a technical point of view, I have a few observations to make:
The role of the AuNP film, namely to increase (slightly) the light absorption of the Vis-NIR lens, must be highlighted in Figure 7!
The figures are not marked with a) and b), the picture was put instead of the graph...
Figure 4. Absorption of AuNP films in VIS-NIR. Please present the absorption of the AuNP solutions and highlight the SPR band there.
Figure 7 and the text do not show the impact of AuNP on contact lenses. Apparently they only measured C60+AuNP, but where is C60 without AuNP? to explain what effect (%) AuNP brings on the lens coating and how thick is this layer of AuNP deposited over the C60 film.
In section 2.10, please provide details about the equipment or setup used to measure the Intensity in Figure 7. Was a sunlight simulator used, what type of detector?
A minor observation: Maybe there is another way to formulate the conclusions, not with numbers so as not to be confused with the numbers of the chapters...
Author Response
REVIEW 4:
The paper presents a study on some nanoparticles recycled from rapid tests from the conjugate tape and their use in contact lens coating. It is an interesting idea that could still pose problems regarding the purification methods, which are quite complex. But it is an interesting idea considering the recent emphasis on recycling. From a technical point of view, I have a few observations to make:
The role of the AuNP film, namely to increase (slightly) the light absorption of the Vis-NIR lens, must be highlighted in Figure 7!
The image for Figure 7 was replaced with a higher quality image, with more clearly visible differences in the light absorption, as compared to sunlight, a C60 coated lens and two commercial lenses.
The figures are not marked with a) and b), the picture was put instead of the graph...
The images for the figures were now improved, with additional markings and references to the individual images in the text of the manuscript.
Figure 4. Absorption of AuNP films in VIS-NIR. Please present the absorption of the AuNP solutions and highlight the SPR band there.
Amended with a clearer image.
Figure 7 and the text do not show the impact of AuNP on contact lenses. Apparently they only measured C60+AuNP, but where is C60 without AuNP? to explain what effect (%) AuNP brings on the lens coating and how thick is this layer of AuNP deposited over the C60 film.
The low-quality image for Figure 7 was replaced. The image now includes the comparison to a C60 coated lens, two other commercial lenses, and sunlight. Additional text was added for discussion on the comparison with these lenses, along with an examination of the coating constituent thicknesses:
In average there are 12 layers of C60 (with a diameter of 1 nm) and the rest of 30-36 nm are layers of AuNPs`. Only the smallest sized AuNPs (7.44 -10 nm) were incorporated in the final coating. It means that 3-4 layers of AuNPs are in coating layer.
In section 2.10, please provide details about the equipment or setup used to measure the Intensity in Figure 7. Was a sunlight simulator used, what type of detector?
Added description on the measurements and sample details. Measurements were made in real conditions, during a very sunny day, (without clouds) using a Hamamatsu UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer (200-1100 nm).
A minor observation: Maybe there is another way to formulate the conclusions, not with numbers so as not to be confused with the numbers of the chapters.
The conclusions are made in accordance with the instructions.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
-
Reviewer 4 Report
The new revised manuscript has a better quality and I think it will be of interest to the readers of your journal. That's why I think it can be accepted in the new form. Thank you