The Facile Construction of Anatase Titanium Dioxide Single Crystal Sheet-Connected Film with Observable Strong White Photoluminescence
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe {001} surface of anatase TiO2 is drawing attention for its potential in practical applications and as a subject of study in surface science. The manuscript reports the growth of {001} film without any template or catalysts. The authors have demonstrated a relatively simple one-step process for anatase film with high {001} facets, but it is essential to address the following comments for the publication to be considered.
1) Line 100-101: The reasons for promoting {001} facets under “after-glow” zone should be discussed (Fig. 1)
2) The XPS results of Figure 2 show possibly more concentration of non-lattice oxygen or defects in the films grown under “in-glow” zone than “after-glow” zone. It is confusing how two different zones affect the concentration of oxygen defects and how oxygen defects influence the promotion or reduction of {001} facets in the synthesized films. It seems that the film (prepared under in-glow zone) with more amounts of oxygen defects shows less {001} facets and higher PL signals. The label for the peak of 533.1 eV also needs to be given.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageModerate editing of English language required
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses in the word and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files.
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Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis work focuses on the preparation of single crystal anatase TiO2 by a non-thermal method. The authors used several characterization methods to determine the physicochemical properties of their sample. In general, the manuscript is well presented, the objectives are clear, and the discussions are well conducted. However, before being accepted I recommend minor revisions.
Comments.
- The authors must add XRD analysis to confirm the structure of anatase and the purity of the product.
- The authors should add high-resolution XPS spectra of Ti 2p.
- The scale in Figure 2 (TEM image) should be clear.
- Authors must explain the difference between their material and the materials presented in the literature (from the point of view of their properties).
- If possible please provide other TEM images.
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses in the word and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors of the Facile Construction of Anatase Titanium Dioxide Single Crystal Sheet-Connected Film with Observable Strong White Photoluminescence report the properties of anatase films obtained by reactive plasma deposition, which results in the resulting films having a large number of oxygen vacancies (defects). In general, the presented results are quite interesting and promising not only from the point of view of the practical application of similar methods for the production of luminescent films, but also fundamental knowledge about the properties of anatase, with a large number of oxygen vacancies. The presented article corresponds to the declared journal, and the authors' choice of the Communication type reflects the need for rapid presentation of the findings. In this case, the work can be accepted for publication after the authors answer a number of questions that the reviewer had while reading it.
1. The authors managed to obtain films with different grain sizes, as well as their shape, which is quite interesting and new; however, the authors should clarify whether they assessed the density of these films taking into account the presence of visible voids in the composition.
2. Is it possible to estimate the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the composition of films using the obtained data from XPS results? Have numerical values been obtained for the concentration of defects?
3. From the presented transmission electron microscopy data, it is desirable for the authors to draw a conclusion about the degree of crystallinity of the resulting films, and not just about the putative orientation.
4. From the data presented in Figure 2, it is clearly seen that an increase in deposition time leads to the formation of structures of various shapes and geometries, which in the case of films requires additional description of the mechanisms of growth and formation of grains with a preferred orientation.
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses in the word and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe present study reports the strong photoluminescence behavior of anatase thin film prepared by reactive atmospheric deposition. The authors investigated the morphology, structure, and chemical state of the film using different characterization techniques and observed strong white photoluminescence for the coating. The work is concise and interesting; however, some points need to be addressed.
1. In the current version, we encounter typos, some of which are listed below
-Aanatase in the abstract
-punctuation missing, line 46
2. In Figure 4, there is a yellow highlight under the image, it should be removed.
3. The authors report a single crystal TiO2 film considering TEM results, however, TEM gives local information. The authors should add thin film-XRD results to confirm that no formation of amorphous TiO2 or rutile phase.
4. In Figure 3a, the XPS fitting has flaws and should be revised. Also, the error range of the fitting needs to be included in the revised version.
5. The main missing point in the current version of the manuscript is the morphological characterization. Which type of materials was used as a substrate, if it had any influence on the resulting film (quality, orientation, adhesion, etc.)? What is the resulting TiO2 film thickness?
6. The authors have not discussed the experimental methods in detail, no information about the duration of deposition, and power (current, potential), etc. This study will be unlikely repeated by researchers in the field. All the experimental details should be supplied.
7. The inset images in Figure 1 c and e are not readable, should be revised.
Comments on the Quality of English Languagena
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses in the word and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors have provided a satisfactory reply to all the concerns and therefore the paper is publishable in its present form.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors answered all the questions posed, the article can be accepted for publication.
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors considered the reviewer`s comments and revised the manuscript accordingly. The current version is suitable for publication.
