Preparation of Hollow Silica Nanoparticles with Polyacrylic Acid and Their Moisture Sorption Properties
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors1. provide detailed information about the particle size distribution, which could impact the results and generalizability of the findings.
2. Although the study reports the removal of PAA from the particles, it does not provide a detailed analysis of the efficiency of this process, which could be important for understanding the impact of PAA on the particle properties.
3. The study only reports the specific surface area and pore volume of the particles under nitrogen adsorption. It would be beneficial to include additional information about the surface area and pore volume under other conditions, such as water vapor adsorption
4. The study primarily focuses on the adsorption properties of the particles under nitrogen and water vapor conditions. It would be valuable to explore the adsorption properties under other conditions, such as different gases or solvents, to better understand the versatility of these particles.
5. please provide information about the scalability and reproducibility of the synthesis method, which could be important for industrial applications.
6. investigate the biocompatibility and toxicity of the particles, which are crucial considerations for biomedical applications.
7. compare the properties of these particles with those of other materials, which could help to better understand their unique advantages and limitations.
8.please provide detailed information about the mechanisms of adsorption, which could be important for understanding the interactions between the particles and the adsorbed molecules.
Author Response
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have responded to the comments point by point and uploaded the revised manuscript.
Comments 1: provide detailed information about the particle size distribution, which could impact the results and generalizability of the findings.
Response 1: Thank you for pointing this out. we add the detailed distribution data about particle diameter, inner diameter, and shell thickness in fig2 and table1. meanwhile, the relationship between the particle size distribution and structure of hollow particles was explained in detail. These changes can be found on page 4, paragraph 1, lines 3 to 10, and page 5, table 1.
Comments 2: Although the study reports the removal of PAA from the particles, it does not provide a detailed analysis of the efficiency of this process, which could be important for understanding the impact of PAA on the particle properties.
Response 2: The efficiency of PAA removal from the particles is further analyzed by combining the heat loss and the hollow particles' shell thickness results. This change can be found on page 6, paragraph 2, lines 1-5.
Comments 3: The study only reports the specific surface area and pore volume of the particles under nitrogen adsorption. It would be beneficial to include additional information about the surface area and pore volume under other conditions, such as water vapor adsorption
Response 3: Thank you for your comment. We add the information about the specific surface area and the pore volume of particles under water vapor adsorption. This change can be found on page 11, Table 5.
Comments 4: The study primarily focuses on the adsorption properties of the particles under nitrogen and water vapor conditions. It would be valuable to explore the adsorption properties under other conditions, such as different gases or solvents, to better understand the versatility of these particles.
Response 4: Thank you very much for your suggestion. As you said, this PAA/silica hollow composite structure, not only in water vapor adsorption but also in other aspects of adsorption properties, such as the adsorption of toxic organics, has the potential for application. We plan to discuss these adsorption properties in detail in the next paper.
Comments 5: please provide information about the scalability and reproducibility of the synthesis method, which could be important for industrial applications.
Response 5: The discussion of the scalability and reproducibility of this synthesis method was provided, the change can be found on page 14, paragraph 7, lines 1-3.
Comments 6: investigate the biocompatibility and toxicity of the particles, which are crucial considerations for biomedical applications.
Response 6：Thank you for pointing it out. For the evaluation of the toxicity and biocompatibility of the particles, we are very sorry that we have not conducted relevant tests. However, from the relevant research, silica and polyacrylic acid are not biologically toxic, and the surface coating of inorganic substances can further improve the biocompatibility of particles. Therefore, we cite some literature for a certain explanation. This change can be found on page 2, paragraph 5, lines 4-6.
Comments 7: compare the properties of these particles with those of other materials, which could help to better understand their unique advantages and limitations.
Response 7：We have added a comparison table of properties with other materials.
This change can be found on page 13, table 6.
Comments 8: please provide detailed information about the mechanisms of adsorption, which could be important for understanding the interactions between the particles and the adsorbed molecules.
Response 8: According to the water vapor adsorption results (Table 5), we supply detailed information about the adsorption mechanism between particles and water vapor molecules. This change can be found on page 11, paragraph 1, lines1-9.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsSize and main features of synthesized silica nanoparticles should be presented in the abstract.
The novelty of research should be present in the introduction section.
The authors should explain why particles accumulated; presented in Figure 2.
The authors need to provide a comparative Table to compare the characterization features of silica nanoparticles developed in other researchers. At least 20 references should be included in the table.
The limitations of research should present in the conclusion section.
Comments on the Quality of English Languagena
Author Response
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have responded to the comments point by point and uploaded the revised manuscript.
Comment 1: Size and main features of synthesized silica nanoparticles should be presented in the abstract.
Response 1：Thank you for pointing it out. The size and main feature (shell thickness, surface area, and the water vapor absorption ability) of silica nanoparticles were added in the abstract section. This change can be found on page 1, paragraph 1, lines 8, 9 and 11.
Comment 2：The novelty of research should be present in the introduction section.
Response 2：we have rewritten and emphasized the novelty description in the introduction section. This change can be found on page 2, paragraph 4, lines 1-3.
Comment 3：The authors should explain why particles accumulated; presented in Figure 2.
Response 3：The particle accumulation of SEM images has been explained. This change can be found on page 4, paragraph 1, lines 2-4.
Comment 4：The authors need to provide a comparative Table to compare the characterization features of silica nanoparticles developed in other researchers. At least 20 references should be included in the table.
Response 4：Thank you for your comment. We looked for a lot of references, but unfortunately, there are very few reports on the water vapor adsorption properties of silica nanoparticles. Therefore, we only added some similar references for comparison with our study. This change can be found on page 13, table 5.
Comment 5：The limitations of research should present in the conclusion section.
Response 5：we have supplied the limitations of this research in the conclusion section. The change can be found on page 14, paragraph 8, lines 1-3.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors1- Use passive voice in the whole paper. No “we” or “I”
2- No branding in scientific paper. Mention the characteristics of the materials or the equipment only without the brand.
3- Add material properties table for both chemical and physical properties
4- Any safety precautions come with the new proposed material?
5- Results in Figure 1 need to be compared with the traditional coating
6- Add the acceptable limits to Table 1
7- All of the result need to be compared with currently used and available alternatives
8- The conclusion section needs to be reconstructed in point by point format
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageUse passive voice in the whole paper. No “we” or “I”
Author Response
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have responded to the comments point by point and uploaded the revised manuscript.
Comment 1：Use passive voice in the whole paper. No “we” or “I”
Response 1：The paper has been modified for the passive voice.
Comment 2： No branding in scientific paper. Mention the characteristics of the materials or the equipment only without the brand.
Response2：We have removed the equipment and materials brand information. These changes can be found on page 2, paragraph 6, and page 3, paragraph 2.
Comment 3： Add material properties table for both chemical and physical properties
Response 3：The chemical and physical properties have been added on page 14, Table 7.
Comment 4： Any safety precautions come with the new proposed material?
Response 4：The raw materials used in the synthesis process are low in biological toxicity, however, because of the use of volatile solvents, it is recommended to synthesize the material in a ventilated environment. At the same time, the synthesized particle size is very small, therefore, it should be paid attention to preventing inhalation of the body when using or evaluating these particles.
Comment 5： Results in Figure 1 need to be compared with the traditional coating
Response 5：We added the comparison description of this new nano-coating method with the traditional coating. This change can be found on page 4, paragraph 1, lines 1-6.
Comment 6： Add the acceptable limits to Table 1.
Response 6：We have updated the description in Table 1 to provide a clearer description of the differences between composite nanoparticles. This change can be found on page 6, paragraph 3, lines1-2 ,table 1(which is the old table 1).
Comment 7： All of the result need to be compared with currently used and available alternatives.
Response 7：We have searched a lot of papers, but unfortunately, there are few studies on the water molecular adsorption properties of silica nanoparticles, we only selected some main properties for comparison (particle size and water molecular adsorption capacity). This change can be found on page 13, Table 5.
Comment 8：The conclusion section needs to be reconstructed in point by point format.
Response 8：The conclusion section has been rewritten to provide a clearer understanding of the findings.
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper is devoted for preparation of hollow silica nanoparticles with polyacrylic acid and their moisture sorption properties. The topic is generally interesting, however the paper contain unexplained places (below) and need major revisions.
Part 2.2, the reference to the work, were samples preparation procedure was described, is needed.
In Fig. 3 the temperature behavior of weight loss should be explained.
Fig. 4, why infrared investigations were performed only in frequency range 4000 – 500 cm-1?
Fig. 9 should be more commented.
Conclusions should be rewritten in more informative way.
All small errors should be corrected. For example page 2 ‘’However, this method, this method needs,.. ‘’. Measurements units and numbers should be written separately. For example, at page 2 it should be 350 ml.
Author Response
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have responded to the comments point by point and uploaded the revised manuscript.
Comment 1：Part 2.2, the reference to the work, were samples preparation procedure was described, is needed.
Response 1：We have cited a related reference in the nanoparticle synthesis process to prove the feasibility of this method. The reference can be found on page 2, paragraph 7, line 9, cite 28.
Comment 2：In Fig. 3 the temperature behavior of weight loss should be explained.
Response 2：For the temperature behavior of weight loss, we have added an explanation on page 6, paragraph 1, lines 4-11.
Comment 3：Fig. 4, why infrared investigations were performed only in frequency range 4000 – 500 cm-1?
Response 3：The wave number range of the infrared spectrum is 450-4000cm-1 in fig 4. In this range, the necessary functional group characteristic peak information (Si-OH, -COOH) can be obtained to confirm the composition of composite nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the adsorption of water molecules can be seen in the flat peak at 3500cm-1. It can be confirmed from the side of the composite structure of PAA-silica, which has excellent hygroscopic properties.
Comment 4：Fig. 9 should be more commented.
Response 4：We have updated Fig.9 and the description of Fig.9 to make more clearly understand the figure. This change can be found on page 12, paragraph 2, Figure 9.
Comment 5：Conclusions should be rewritten in more informative way.
Response 5：The conclusion section has been rewritten to provide a clearer understanding of the findings.
Comment 6：All small errors should be corrected. For example page 2 ‘’However, this method, this method needs,.. ‘’. Measurements units and numbers should be written separately. For example, at page 2 it should be 350 ml.
Response 6：Thank you for your comment. All the small errors in the paper have been corrected.
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors revised the manuscript satisfactory; I recommend to publish the present form.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThe authors revised the manuscript satisfactory; I recommend to publish the present form.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors conducted the required revision
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAuthors make proper corrections according to reviewer remarks and I suggest to publish the paper as it is.
