Liquid Crystal/Carbon Nanotube/Polyaniline Composites and Their Coating Orientation Patterning Applications
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe study provides important insights into the orientation of liquid crystals and understanding the performance of CNT/PANI doped gels. However, benchmarks and direct comparisons with other studies in the literature are missing. This may weaken the scientific context of the study. In particular, the concrete benefits of the results need to be better discussed.
(1) "Liquid crystal doped nanoparticles [22-27] have a wide variety of uses in liquid crystal electronic devices..."
This sentence contains general information and is repetitive. It is recommended to add more specific information.
(2) "Observation of the POM plots of LC/CNT/PANI physicogel films... reveals that the LC microdroplets in the liquid crystal physicogels are uniformly and closely distributed."
The detailed analysis of the POM images provided here is not presented. Quantitative analysis of the images (e.g., microdroplet size, uniformity) could improve the accuracy of the results. Also, comparative tables showing the effects of different coating speeds would strengthen the findings.
(3) "Observation of the absorption peaks reveals that doping of CNT/PANI and coating can reduce the peak intensities, i.e., the better the molecular ordering of the liquid crystal molecule orientation."
Raman results similarly show in the literature that orientation processes improve molecular ordering. In this study, however, the quantitative analysis of the spectra was incomplete. It is recommended that the changes in peak intensities be presented in clear percentage values and compared with the studies in the literature.
(4) "Through Raman testing, it was found that the CNT/PANI-doped Liquid crystal physical gel had a better order..."
The conclusion of the study is not strongly contextualized when summarizing the findings. In particular, the effect of CNT/PANI doping on the ordering of liquid crystal molecules is well emphasized, but the benefits of this doping for industrial applications are not sufficiently addressed.
(5) There are studies on the orientation properties of CNT/PANI doped liquid crystal gels in the literature. However, there is no direct comparison of the findings obtained in this study with previous literature. This may reduce the importance of the study. For example, "Shear-induced orientation" related to the method used is a frequently discussed topic in the literature and direct comparison can be made for the degree of "uniformity" mentioned here.
(6) In the graphs in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the measurements and text on the horizontal and vertical axes are not legible.
Author Response
Comment 1: "Liquid crystal doped nanoparticles [22-27] have a wide variety of uses in liquid crystal electronic devices..."
This sentence contains general information and is repetitive. It is recommended to add more specific information.
Response1 : Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have made supplementary modifications corresponds to lines 57-62 in the manuscript. Such as Yongrui Li et al [24] utilized hollow heterocharged halloysite nanotubes as the-doping agent to build upa4cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl based supramolecular liquid crystal composite with excellent electro-optical properties.
Comment 2. "Observation of the POM plots of LC/CNT/PANI physicogel films... reveals that the LC microdroplets in the liquid crystal physicogels are uniformly and closely distributed."
The detailed analysis of the POM images provided here is not presented. Quantitative analysis of the images (e.g., microdroplet size, uniformity) could improve the accuracy of the results. Also, comparative tables showing the effects of different coating speeds would strengthen the findings.
Response 2: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have made supplementary modifications corresponds to line 209-217 in the manuscript. Under the conditions of 7.2 N coating pressure, coating speed of 4 mm/s, and coating interval of 72 s, a coating of a coating with an area of 10 cm × 10 cm was prepared by coating twice, and then randomly intercepted 1 cm × 1 cm to make POM. Then, observation of the POM plots of LC/CNT/PANI physical gel films that have been coated and oriented reveals that the LC micro droplets in the liquid crystal physical gels are uniformly and closely distributed, and that the LC micro droplets are significantly stretched by the shear force due to the coated orientation, showing an elongated elliptical shape. Meanwhile, the POM plots of LC/CNT/PANI display uniform distribution of components reveal that the compatibility between the components of the obtained liquid crystal.
Comment 3: "Observation of the absorption peaks reveals that doping of CNT/PANI and coating can reduce the peak intensities, i.e., the better the molecular ordering of the liquid crystal molecule orientation."
Raman results similarly show in the literature that orientation processes improve molecular ordering. In this study, however, the quantitative analysis of the spectra was incomplete. It is recommended that the changes in peak intensities be presented in clear percentage values and compared with the studies in the literature.
Response 3: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have added and marked in the manuscript corresponds to line 248-256. The cyano peak at 2229 cm-1 in the figure shows that the peak intensity of the unoriented liquid crystal physical gel film here is 4922, and the peak intensity of the liquid crystal physical gel film is 857, which indicates that the liquid crystal molecules have reached a good orientation state after coating, so the peak intensity decreases. The peak intensity of the LC/CNT physical gel film coated at 2229 cm-1 was 591, indicating that the CNTs dispersed in 5 CB played an anchoring and binding role in the orientation of liquid crystal molecules, and the orientation order of liquid crystal molecules was improved. The coated oriented LC/CNT/PANI physical gel film exhibited a peak intensity of 395.
Comment 4: "Through Raman testing, it was found that the CNT/PANI-doped Liquid crystal physical gel had a better order..."
The conclusion of the study is not strongly contextualized when summarizing the findings. In particular, the effect of CNT/PANI doping on the ordering of liquid crystal molecules is well emphasized, but the benefits of this doping for industrial applications are not sufficiently addressed.
Response 4: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment.We have added and marked in the original manuscript corresponds to lines 484-485. It can further improve the conductivity of the device in the application, and better use it in sensors, optoelectronic devices and other fields.
Comment 5: There are studies on the orientation properties of CNT/PANI doped liquid crystal gels in the literature. However, there is no direct comparison of the findings obtained in this study with previous literature. This may reduce the importance of the study. For example, "Shear-induced orientation" related to the method used is a frequently discussed topic in the literature and direct comparison can be made for the degree of "uniformity" mentioned here.
Response 5: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have added and marked in the manuscript corresponds to line 278-282. A common method of shear flow-induced orientation is the use of direct-write printing [37] to accomplish the rapid and uniform orientation of liquid crystal molecules. The coating method can also make the liquid crystal molecules respond quickly to the shear flow and achieve uniform orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.
Comment 6: In the graphs in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the measurements and text on the horizontal and vertical axes are not legible.
Response 6: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have made changes and replaced them in the manuscript.
Special thanks to you for your good comments.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsI suggest the following points to consider for the authors to improve the manuscript:
1) The manuscript does not provide sufficient information on the preparation of the PET substrate and its surface treatment, which could influence the coating process and orientation results.
2) While the CNT/PANI preparation is well-described, additional details about the chemical in situ polymerization conditions, such as reaction temperature and time, would enhance reproducibility.
3) The study identifies the role of CNT/PANI in improving molecular orientation and conductivity but does not thoroughly explain the interaction mechanisms at the molecular level. For instance, the anchoring effect of π-π interactions between CNTs and liquid crystal molecules could be explored further.
4) The correlation between coating parameters (e.g., pressure, speed) and the resulting molecular orientation could be explained in more detail using quantitative data or theoretical models.
5) The manuscript does not address the long-term stability of the LC/CNT/PANI films, particularly under repeated mechanical stress or environmental conditions. Testing the durability of the films over extended periods would add value to the study.
6) The discussion section could elaborate on potential applications beyond stress sensors, such as in optoelectronic devices or energy storage.
7) Suggestions for future research, such as exploring alternative conductive fillers or modifying the LC/CNT/PANI composition, would strengthen the paper's conclusion.
Author Response
Comments1: The manuscript does not provide sufficient information on the preparation of the PET substrate and its surface treatment, which could influence the coating process and orientation results.
Response1: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have added and marked in the original manuscript corresponds to line 132-133. The PET film was placed in a beaker filled with absolute ethanol and ultrasonically cleaned for 2 hours, and then dried in a vacuum drying oven.
Comments 2：While the CNT/PANI preparation is well-described, additional details about the chemical in situ polymerization conditions, such as reaction temperature and time, would enhance reproducibility.
Response 2: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have added and marked in the manuscript corresponds to line 109-110.The experiments were performed at room temperature and the experimental time of each step is clearly written in the article.
Comments 3：Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. The study identifies the role of CNT/PANI in improving molecular orientation and conductivity but does not thoroughly explain the interaction mechanisms at the molecular level. For instance, the anchoring effect of π-π interactions between CNTs and liquid crystal molecules could be explored further.
Response 3: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have added and marked in the manuscript corresponds to line 256-259. The electronic nature of the liquid crystal molecule results in the ability of the liquid crystal to be oriented along the applied field, allowing it to anchor to the weak hydrogen bonds formed on the surface of the CNT with sp2 hybridization for dispersion.
Comments 4: The correlation between coating parameters (e.g., pressure, speed) and the resulting molecular orientation could be explained in more detail using quantitative data or theoretical models.
Response 4: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. The orientation status of liquid crystal droplets in POM diagrams under different conditions is statistically calculated, and the orientation rate of liquid crystal droplets is the most quantitative data to characterize the orientation advantages and disadvantages.
Comments 5: The manuscript does not address the long-term stability of the LC/CNT/PANI films, particularly under repeated mechanical stress or environmental conditions. Testing the durability of the films over extended periods would add value to the study.
Response 5: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. Due to the experimental conditions, no durability tests were performed. But from the literature report, it can be known that PDMS is the most the large strain can reach 49.6%, so it has good long-term mechanical stability in the tensile range, corresponds to line 399-401 in the manuscript.
Comments 6: The discussion section could elaborate on potential applications beyond stress sensors, such as in optoelectronic devices or energy storage.
Response 6: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. The sensors prepared in this paper based on LC/CNT/PANI liquid crystal physical gel are mainly used in human motion sensing, and it will be applied in other fields in the future, so it is slightly abrupt to discuss other applications.
Comments 7: Suggestions for future research, such as exploring alternative conductive fillers or modifying the LC/CNT/PANI composition, would strengthen the paper's conclusion.
Response 7: Thank you for pointing this out, we agree with this comment. We have added and marked in the original manuscript corresponds to line 496-498. In the future, other types of conductive fillers can be explored to further improve the performance of liquid crystal physical gels, which can be applied to liquid crystal displays, smart windows, optoelectronic devices and other fields.
Special thanks to you for your good comments.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Fuqiang Chu
Associated Professor
Faculty of Light Industry,
Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences),
Jinan 250353, China.
E-mails: fqchu@qlu.edu.cn
Tel/Fax:86+13505401028
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe comments have been addressed.
