Unveiling Nanogranular Advancements in Nickel-Doped Tungsten Oxide for Superior Electrochromic Performance

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. Figure 2 - Analysis of XRD must be improved. There is no noticeable difference from each spectrum.

2. Figure 5 - Explanation regarding the porosity not being supported by the images. Different characterisation is needed to support the argument.

3. Claims on the nanogranules' morphology, agglomeration and surface density must be further proven.

4. A mechanism is needed to conclude why 3% is the best.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this manuscript, the authors reported the synthesis of Ni-doped WO3 films, which exhibited superior electrochromic performance according to the presented results. It is found that 3% Ni doping caused the best electrochromic performance in all the samples. It is an interesting work, which will be helpful for the design and fabrication of 2D material-based functional films for electrochromic materials and devices. However, there are still some questions that should be addressed. Minor revision is recommended.

Special comments for the revision:

1.       It is suggested for the authors to add more details on the novelty and significance of this work by comparing to other previously studies.

2.       Figure 1 could be modified to add the information on the doping of Ni to WO3. In addition, the synthesis mechanism should be introduced further.

3.       It is suggested for the authors to use TEM and elemental mapping to see how the WO3 is doped by Ni.

4.       The place of Figure 5b and 5b1 should be changed.

5.       In part 4, it is necessary for the authors to add more discussion on how the Ni content affect the morphology of the WNi film.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled "Unveiling Nanogranular Advancements in Nickel-Doped  Tungsten Oxide for Superior Electrochromic Performance" includes a lot of work and contains many data. The work fits in your journal rigors and I recommend its publication. 

I make the following comments:

- The phrase on line 36 - 38 which reffers to Deb et al. requires an adequate reference.

- The text refers to Fig. S2 (a-c) on line 250 and 252, but I can't  found  it. 

- The discussion on the proposed material should contain comparisons with other materials, in order to a better understanding of its significance.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English is fine. Minor revisions are required

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled “Unveiling Nanogranular Advancements in Nickel-Doped Tungsten Oxide for Superior Electrochromic Performance” reports research on the electrodeposition of nickel-doped tungsten oxide on FTO glass to obtain materials with electrochromic characteristics. The samples obtained were characterized with different chemical-physical techniques.

The topic is consistent with the purpose of the Journal. The manuscript is well organized. The research is carried out with scientific criteria.

However, I believe that a greater description should be given to the innovative aspect compared to previous research that has already studied tungsten oxide doped with nickel.

Furthermore, in the conclusions a greater and more in-depth justification should be provided as to why the 3% doping is the one that has shown the best performance compared to the other doping percentages used. A small detail: perhaps paragraph 5. Electrochromic analysis should be 4.5.

In light of the above, the manuscript requires minimal revision before being considered for publication.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf