Laser-Patterned and Photodeposition Ag-Functionalized TiO₂ Grids on ITO Glass for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. In line 117, the author reported a stabilizing agent; could the author provide more details to let the reader obtain the full picture?
2. In the section of Materials and Methods, what was the thickness of TiO2 prepared by the dip coating in this work? What was the viscosity of the Ti-salicylate solution? Especially, the author described in line 127, the coated sample was left to dry for 5 min at ambient conditions. How did the author keep the Ti-salicylate solution as a liquid source during the dip-coating process, avoiding the solution or solvent from vaporizing? Please describe in detail in the revised manuscript.
3. How did the author estimate or design the projected range of the blue-light Laser in the as-prepared TiO2 layer? What are the effects of laser parameters on the formation of patterned TiO2?
4. What is the microstructure of the Ti-salicylate sol after the laser irradiation processing in the work?
5. In line 151, the author used two steps to calculate the Ti-salicylate sol. What were the purposes of this approach?
6. In Fig. 2, the author compared the concentration reduction of MB for the TiO2/ITO and ITO samples. Could the author compare the MB PCO activity of Ag/TiO2/ITO samples at the same time?
7. The authors need to comment on any differences in reduced Ag through photo-deposition on TiO2/ITO and the exposed ITO region with further analysis. In Fig. 5, the diffraction intensity of Ag layer is higher than that of TiO2. The author needs to figure out the relative amount of the photo-deposition Ag and TiO2 layer derived from the Ti-Ti-salicylate.
8. The chronoamperometry of TiO2 is higher than that of the other Ag-loaded samples, as shown in Fig. 8. Please discuss the mechanism.

     9.  In Fig. 10, please draw the band diagram of Ag/TiO2 through the analysis of Mott-Schottky. By the analysis, what is the permittivity of the TiO2 in the work, please describe in the revised manuscript.

Author Response

Dear reviewer, 

Thank you for the effort in reviewing my manuscript and the positive feedback, please see the attached file for a reply to any questions and suggestions raised. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

After carefully reviewing the manuscript titled "Laser-Patterned and Photodeposition Ag-Functionalized TiO₂ Grids on ITO Glass for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation", I believe it is suitable for publication in Coatings after the following revisions are made:

The authors must replace Figure 2b in the Results and Discussion section and correct the X-axis labeling: "dark adsorption –60 min" should be changed to "0 min," followed by photocatalysis from 0 to 120 min.

The authors must include in Figure 2b the results of dark adsorption and photocatalytic degradation for all samples (pristine TiO₂, Ag/TiO₂, 5 J cm⁻²; Ag/TiO₂, 10 J cm⁻²; and Ag/TiO₂, 20 J cm⁻²).

Data on the photolytic degradation of MB dye must be provided.

The values of the reaction rate constants for the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye, along with the corresponding R² values, should be provided in a Table.

Radical scavenger studies should be conducted to identify the active species involved in the photodegradation of MB dye.

The author should compare his results of the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye with those reported by other researchers and present the comparison in the form of a Table, including the corresponding experimental conditions.

Author Response

Dear reviewer, 

Thank you for the effort in reviewing my manuscript and the positive feedback, please see the attached file for a reply to any questions and suggestions raised. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear author,

Congratulations for your work!

The study is very complete and in my opinion it can be accepted in its present form although the method needs to be improved for avoiding degradation. 

How can you increase the thickness of your films in a controlled way?

Best wishes.

Author Response

Dear reviewer, 

Thank you for the effort in reviewing my manuscript and the positive feedback, please see the attached file for a reply to any questions and suggestions raised. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The reviewer has no comment on this manuscript! 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors have well readdressed the questions raised by the reviewers, now, this manuscript can be accepted.