Influence of Organic-Modified Inorganic Matrices on the Optical Properties of Palygorskite–Curcumin-Type Hybrid Materials

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this paper, palygorskite was modified with (3-Aminopropyl) tri-14 ethoxysilane to obtain two types of host hybrid materials. The hybrid composites have different colors (orange, 19 yellow, pink) depending on the polarity of the inorganic matrices modulated by different organic 20 groups grafted at the surface, and show better Fluorescence emission performance in the visible range. I think this paper can be considered for publication after major revision.

(1)   In Abstract, more data should be provided to indicate the advantages of the composite than others.

(2) In Introduction, please delete the sentence “Others have been developed as transport matrices, which are loaded with active compounds extracted from plants or synthesized and are most often used in medicine [8-10].” and corresponding references. Because in these references, it also cannot fully prove whether it is really "transport" and whether it is really "hybrid materials". I think the material reported in the literature is just a mixture, the structure of which is still debated. Also, please delete reference [11], as a review paper, it is not suitable to be cited here. It is more suitable to cite references of Maya blue (such as: Powder Technology, 2015, 280: 173-179; Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2022, 330: 111615).

(3) More information about palygorskite used should be provided, such as purity, chemical composition, and so on.

(4) In Fig. 3, please mark the main diffraction peaks, and assign them accurately. Please indicate which curve corresponds to which sample by other method, not the color of curves.

(5) FTIR spectra are not good. There are too many interference peaks in it, which affects the judgment of the final result. Please retest the IR spectrum.

(6) I suggest give the digital photos of each samples.

(7) TG-DTG analysis was required to reveal the host-guest interaction.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This manuscript reports the preparation of host hybrid materials in which the host are clays, specifically, palygorskite, in which curcumin derivatives are deposited. The materials were characterized by structural techniques as well as their photophysical properties. I would encourage authors to proofread the manuscript before final submission since I have found several mistakes.

 The idea of the paper is interesting, and the results are valuable to be published as an original research paper. However, to publish it, significant improvements are needed:

 

In the experimental section, the FT-IR spectra were collected with only 32 scans; please collect the FT-IR spectra again with at least 128 scans, and replace the FT-IR spectra of the manuscript with the new data.

 No supplementary information was available for the referee to comment on it.

 

In section 3.1.1, please add the palygorskite powder XRD ( ICCD 21-0958) to Figure 3. If possible, the XRD patterns of the curcumin derivatives should be included for comparison.

 In addition, “the XRD spectrum” should be modified to “XRD pattern” and the main text the authors comment on support S3, where there is no material S3 in figure 4b. The same mistake is found in section 3.1.2.

 Section 3.1.3- Figure 6 should include the FT-IR spectra of the curcumin derivatives.

 Section 3.1.4- In figure 8, the fluorescence spectra of the curcumin derivatives should be included for comparison.

 In addition, the thermal behaviour of the new hybrid materials should be included in the manuscript, and the authors should include a photograph of the materials to illustrate their colours.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper has been revised carefully. I have no additional comment on it.

Reviewer 2 Report

All the changes proposed by the reviewer were made.