MFI Type Zeolite Aggregates with Nanosized Particles via a Combination of Spray Drying and Steam-Assisted Crystallization (SAC) Techniques

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Reviewed work entitled "MFI type zeolite aggregates with nanozised particles via a combination of spray drying and steam assisted crystallization (SAC) techniques" raises a very interesting and important topic. In addition, the work has been developed very carefully and precisely. Each of the parts developed by the authors shows great scientific value. However, there are minor errors that have crept into the work, which absolutely do not affect its quality: 1/ line 137, 183, 235, 249, 250, 252, 283, 284, 297, 381,382, 396,397, 418 Error! Reference source not found. shows, 2/ line 165 Figure 2 should be italicized italic.

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for her/his kind words on our manuscript.

However, there are minor errors that have crept into the work, which absolutely do not affect its quality:

1/ line 137, 183, 235, 249, 250, 252, 283, 284, 297, 381,382, 396,397, 418 Error! Reference source not found. show.

We have corrected this referencing problem.

2/ line 165 Figure 2 should be italicized italic.

We have corrected the mistake!

Reviewer 2 Report

Authors reported a successful process of high-yield generation of MFT type zeolite via a combination of spray drying and steam assisted crystallization techniques. The results were clearly discussed however the manuscript needs to be revised before accepting.

Question 1: It could be much better if authors present a scheme to describe the whole synthesis process they developed, like a graphic TOC, for readers to be easier understood. 

Question 2: Typos and errors in figures and paragraphs of manuscript need to be corrected.

For example: several "Figure" described by authors were not shown in sentences; "spay dried" in line 202; Purple dash line in Figure 6b should be 400 C.

Question 3: Why authors didn't use 150 C, 300 C, 450 C and 600 C with a same increment for screening SD temperatures? The current options seem demonstrate 400 C is a special temperature point.

Question 4: The capture of Figure 10 is confused. Are a, b, c, d in XRD patterns and SEM images corresponding to preparation routs summarized in Table 2? 

 

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for her/his kind evaluation which helped us to improve the paper.

Question 1: It could be much better if authors present a scheme to describe the whole synthesis process they developed, like a graphic TOC, for readers to be easier understood. 

Answer: We have added the suggested scheme.

Question 2: Typos and errors in figures and paragraphs of manuscript need to be corrected.

For example: several "Figure" described by authors were not shown in sentences; "spay dried" in line 202; Purple dash line in Figure 6b should be 400 C.

We have thoroughly checked and corrected the referencing to the figures. Figure 6b was corrected.

Question 3: Why authors didn't use 150 C, 300 C, 450 C and 600 C with a same increment for screening SD temperatures? The current options seem demonstrate 400 C is a special temperature point.

Answer: We have also used 450 °C , but 400 °C was the optimum. This now explained in the text

Question 4: The capture of Figure 10 is confused. Are a, b, c, d in XRD patterns and SEM images corresponding to preparation routs summarized in Table 2? 

Answer: We have checked the caption of Figure 10. It is correct. Yes a, b, c, d also correspond to the description in Table 1.

A language and spelling check was completed.

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors present a comprehensive investigation of the production of nanosized ZSM5 particles. The work is well carried-out, thorough and convincing. They have identified the optimum production conditions and show that their method is scalable. 

This is a very good paper, it would have been even better if there was a comparision of the catalytic activity of the nanosized material produced with a conventionally prepared material, but I guess that this will be the next paper!    

I have no hesitation in recommending publication in Catalysts, after the minor points noted below have been addressed.

Minor points

Line 99: What is a microporogen? I could not find a dictionary that included the word. Please define.

Lines 109-111: Replace "Very recently, it was demonstrated a strategy to hierarchically highly porous ZSM-5 microspheres by a combination of two processes a spray-freeze drying and the steaming assisted crystallization (SAC) [24]." with "Very recently, a strategy was demonstrated to produce hierarchically highly porous ZSM- 5 microspheres by a combination of two processes: spray-freeze drying and steaming-assisted crystallization (SAC) [24]."

Line 112: Replace "is now to utilize the strengths of the by Klumpp et al. reported combination..." with "is now to utilize the strengths of the method reported by Klumpp et al. i.e. the combination..."

lines 137, 183, 235, 249(x2), 252, 297, 381, 382, 405, 418: "Error! Reference source not found. "

Figure 6b: The legend inside the figure states that both dashed lines are for SD 600 C. Please correct.

Figure 6b: What is the origin of the large feature at ~375 C? please discuss.

Lines 407, 487: There is no Section 0!

The overall standard of English is good, but would benefit from proof reading by a native speaker. 

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for her/his careful revision that helped to improve the manuscript.

Minor points

Line 99: What is a microporogen? I could not find a dictionary that included the word. Please define.

Answer: We have explianed the word in the text. It is used in an analogous way than meso- or macroporogen.

Lines 109-111: Replace "Very recently, it was demonstrated a strategy to hierarchically highly porous ZSM-5 microspheres by a combination of two processes a spray-freeze drying and the steaming assisted crystallization (SAC) [24]." with "Very recently, a strategy was demonstrated to produce hierarchically highly porous ZSM- 5 microspheres by a combination of two processes: spray-freeze drying and steaming-assisted crystallization (SAC) [24]."

Line 112: Replace "is now to utilize the strengths of the by Klumpp et al. reported combination..." with "is now to utilize the strengths of the method reported by Klumpp et al. i.e. the combination..."

Answer: We have substituted the sentences as suggested by the reviewerr

lines 137, 183, 235, 249(x2), 252, 297, 381, 382, 405, 418: "Error! Reference source not found. "

Answer: The referencing has been corrected.

Figure 6b: The legend inside the figure states that both dashed lines are for SD 600 C. Please correct.

Answer: We have corrected the figure.

Figure 6b: What is the origin of the large feature at ~375 C? please discuss.

Answer: It is due to remaining template. We have added a statement to the text.

Lines 407, 487: There is no Section 0!

Answer: The error is corrected.

The overall standard of English is good, but would benefit from proof reading by a native speaker. 

Answer: We have carefully proofread the text with the help of a native speaker.