Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This manuscript reports a plasma jet synthesis route for site-selective assembly of carbyne@MWCNT hybrids on graphite. heat flux–dependent control of MWCNT structure and carbyne encapsulation; first observation of the 2LO vibrational mode of carbyne; anda proposed application as nanoscale temperature-sensing microprobes. While the work is conceptually novel, several critical issues must be addressed before the conclusions can be substantiated.

1. The manuscript attributes variations between the 50J and 200J samplesto localized heat flux gradients. However, no direct measurements are provided to substantiate this explanation. Quantitative temperature profiles under the two discharge conditions are necessary to establish a causal relationship. Furthermore, alternative influences such as plasma species concentration, ion bombardment intensity, or electric field gradients could also contribute. The authors must clarify how such factors were excluded or controlled.

 

2. The proposal of carbyne@MWCNT hybrids as nanoscale temperature-sensing elements remains entirely conceptual. No performance data are presented. The authors should provide at minimum preliminary measurements of temperature sensitivity and benchmark these values against existing nanomaterial- and graphite-based thermometers.

 

3. The manuscript acknowledges structural inhomogeneity as a limitation but does not provide quantitative analysis. Metrics such as MWCNT diameter distribution or variance in carbyne loading should be reported, with explicit comparisons between central and edge regions for both discharge energies. Moreover, potential engineering modifications to the plasma jet system (e.g., nozzle geometry, gas flow regulation, discharge duration) that might mitigate inhomogeneity should be discussed, ideally supported by preliminary trials.

 

4. Long-term stability of the hybrids is identified as a challenge but remains unexamined. Data on structural and spectroscopic stability under relevant operating conditions (e.g., thermal cycling between ambient and 500 °C, mechanical wear representative of brake systems) are essential. The persistence or degradation of Raman signatures (LO at 1855 cm⁻¹, 2LO at 3677 cm⁻¹) should be systematically monitored over time.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript presents a study on spatially controlled synthesis of carbyne encapsulated within multiwalled carbon nanotubes using a capillary plasma discharge jet. The novelty lies in the spatial control of carbyne encapsulation demonstrated via SEM, TEM, SAED and Raman spectroscopy. The authors also discuss potential applications in nanoscale thermal sensing particularly in industrial and electronic systems.

However, major revisions are required:

1. In the introduction, the presented approach should be brought in contrast to arc discharge or chemical confinement approaches. Also, discussion of previous works on spatial control is limited.
2. The observed redshift of the 2LO is attributed to anharmonicity. This could benefit from quantitative discussion, i.e. estimated anharmonicity constants or comparison to theoretical predictions.
3. It would be helpful to include intensity ratios across samples to quantify the degree of carbyne formation.
4. Statistical distribution of tube diameters, lengths, and crystallinity is not presented.

NA

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

This research offers a step forward in creating carbyne@MWCNT structures, using a plasma jet to spatially control the process. This study’s key discovery is the initial experimental sighting of the second-order (2LO) Raman mode of encapsulated carbyne, which deepens our understanding of its vibrational behavior. The inclusion of a candid discussion of limitations strengthens the scientific credibility of the work.

Following concerns remain:

1. The claims about “spatial control” are qualitative. The work would be strengthened by a more quantitative analysis of how structure and carbyne yield vary as a function of distance from the discharge center.

2. Minor details in the experimental section could be clarified (e.g., source of high nitrogen in precursor, potential bias in TEM sampling).

3. The interpretation of SAED patterns as “single-crystal” for bundles should be refined to more accurately reflect a highly oriented or textured structure.

4. In Fig. 3 adding a note in the caption about the magnification difference between panel (b) and the other panels would be helpful for the reader, as the scale bars are different (50 nm vs 100 nm).

5. Some typos and comments in the attachment.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors have addressed all of my questions and concerns in their reply. The explanations provided are clear and well-supported, and the revisions made have significantly improved the manuscript. I believe the work is now ready for publication and can be accepted without further revision. 

The authors have addressed all of my questions and concerns in their reply. The explanations provided are clear and well-supported, and the revisions made have significantly improved the manuscript. I believe the work is now ready for publication and can be accepted without further revision. 

Author Response

Dear Editor and the Reviewers,

We sincerely appreciate your decision.

On behalf of the authors,
Dr. Ilya Zavidovskiy

Reviewer 2 Report

I recommend publication as is.

NA

Author Response

Dear Editor and the Reviewers,

We sincerely appreciate your decision.

On behalf of the authors,
Dr. Ilya Zavidovskiy

Reviewer 3 Report

Accept. 

Accept. 

Author Response

Dear Editor and the Reviewers,

We sincerely appreciate your decision.

On behalf of the authors,
Dr. Ilya Zavidovskiy