Atomic Layer Deposition of Zirconia on Cobalt–Chromium Alloys for Dental Prosthetics: Surface Functionalization Under MDR 2017/745

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Editor,

I have reviewed the manuscript entitled “Atomic Layer Deposition of Zirconia on Cobalt-Chromium Alloys for Dental Prosthetics” with great interest. The study explores an important area of surface modification for dental alloys using ALD technology, but the manuscript requires major revisions before it can be considered for publication.

Key concerns include:

1. Overextended regulatory background in the introduction overshadows the scientific rationale and novelty of the work.
2. Lack of a clearly defined aim, weakening the focus and direction of the paper. Instead of saying `there have been no reported attempts to use the ALD method in the fabrication of 114 metal parts of partial dentures` the aim of the study should be stressed.
3. Insufficient explanation of the technical advantages of ALD, despite being central to the study.
4. Why ZrO2 is used and the advantages of ZrO2 should be also mentioned.
5. The font of materials and methods is different than others. It should be corrected.
6. Numerous formatting issues like missing subscripts (ZrO₂), incorrect units (cm⁻¹),
7.  In table 2. commas are used instead of dots when writing numbers
8. Out-dated references, with limited citation of recent works from the last 5 years. The references should be updated
9. The claim of originality would benefit from a clearer comparison with the current literature.

Overall, the data appears sound, and the experimental approach is valuable, but the scientific framing, clarity, and contextualization must be significantly improved.

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your insightful comments. I have tried to address them and incorporate them into the manuscript – an updated version is attached. If this change is accepted, the reference numbering will, of course, be revised.

 

Comment 8. Out-dated references, with limited citation of recent works from the last 5 years. The references should be updated

 

I understand, of course, that the literature from 1971 (!), for example, isn't particularly good :( But it, like the rest cited, refers to the crystallographic standard regarding the phases and polymorphism of zirconia.

However, if this isn't acceptable, please give me a moment and I'll try to find more recent references.

 

Xin, Q. Phase Transformation in the Surface Region of Zirconia Detected by UV Raman Spectroscopy. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 2001, 105, 8107–8111.

Shi, L.; Tin, K.; Wong, N. Tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2) begins to change into monoclinic. Journal of Materials Sci. 1999, 34, 3367.

Basahel, S.N.; Ali, T.T.; Mokhtar, M.; Narasimharao, K. Influence of crystal structure of nanosized ZrO­₂ on photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2015, 10, 1–13.

Pezzotti, G.; Porporati, A.A. Raman spectroscopic analysis of phase-transformation and stress patterns in zirconia hip joints, Journal of Biomedical Optics. 2004,

Clarke, D.R.; Adar, F. Measurement of the crystallographically transformed zone produced by fracture in ceramics containing tetragonal zirconia. Journal of the Amercan Ceramic Society. 1982, 65, 284–288.

Gazzoli, D.; Mattei, G.; Valigi, M. Raman and X-ray investigations of the incorporation of Ca2+ and Cd2+ in the ZrO₂ Journal of the Raman Spectroscopy. 2007, 38, 824–831.

Chervin, C.N.; Clapsaddle, B.J.; Chiu, H.W.; Gash, A.E.; Satcher, J.H.; Kauzlarich, S.M. Aerogel synthesis of yttria-stabilized zirconia by a non-alkoxide sol-gel route. Chemistry of Materials. 2005, 17, 3345–3351.

Kontoyannis, C.G.; Orkoula, M. Quantitative determination of the cubic, tetragonal and monoclinic phases in partially stabilized zirconias by Raman spectroscopy. Journal of Materials Science. 1994, 29, 5316–20.

Pêcheur, D.; Lefebvre, F.; Motta, A.T.; Lemaignan, C.J; Wadier, .F. Precipitate evolution in the Zircaloy-4 oxide layer. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 1992, 189, 318–332.

Beltrán, J.; Hafner, J.; Muñoz, M.C. Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the surfaces of tetragonal and cubic HfO₂, New Journal of Physics. 2008, 10, 2–20.

Katz, G. Crystal Structure of ZrO₂. Journal of the American Ceramic Society. 1971, 54, 531–531.

 

Thank you once again for your time.

Kind regards,

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Attached

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

For the Introduction – As a reader, the introduction starts with EU regulations and related aspects, it is only when we reach line 69 or the third paragraph, that the actual research discussion starts. Statutory regulations are to be abided by, but for the article, the lengthy discussion may be removed with a couple of statements with the references for interested readers to refer to.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf