Use of 2D Sulfide and Oxide Compounds as Functional Semiconducting Pigments in Protective Organic Coatings Containing Zinc Dust

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors discuss the role of 2D layered materials, including sulfides and oxides, as functional semiconducting pigments in protective organic coatings with zinc dust. The topic is relevant for the Coatings journal, and the manuscript is well-written. However, I have a few comments before the manuscript can be accepted:

 

-Material Purity: Please provide information on the purity of the materials used in the study.

-Data Readability: Improve the readability of the data presented in Figure 11.

-Interaction with Zinc Particles: Investigate whether there is any interaction between the zinc particles and the different layered compounds, especially if the zinc particles are small.

-Bandgap Influence: Discuss whether the bandgap of the layered materials influences their anticorrosion properties, such as the current density or corrosion potential.

-Dispersion of Inorganic Materials: Clarify whether the inorganic materials are easily dispersed in the organic coatings or if they tend to agglomerate.

-Additionally, the iThenticate report indicates a similarity index as high as 26%. Please rephrase the related parts from their previous publications.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The language is good.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The influence of particles of different sizes and types on the mechanical and corrosion resistance of Zinc-based setups is considered. The mechanical properties of the studied coatings were tested using standardized mechanical tests, while the anti-corrosion performance of these coatings has been studied.  For specific sizes of pigments, the mechanical resistance is maximized while different types of particle lead to significant enhancement of the anti-corrosion efficiency.

The paper examines an interesting and state-of-the-art topic but can be published at avenue as prestigious as Coatings only if certain improving modifications are made. In particular:

(A) The results from Fig. 11 of powder X-ray diffraction analysis of corrosion products taken from test sections of selected organic coatings should be analyzed further and explain what are the physics behind the outlier material and also why all the other take a specific maximal value in Lin counts.

(B) The plots (Fig. 13) of studied organic coatings are also not analyzed at a good extent. The influence of PVC percentage should be discussed and explained while the different resonant levels of current should be justified. The comments in the paper are not enough and miss the physical explanation part.

(C) An important topic that should be elaborated in the revised version is the influence of edges at the semiconductor pigment on the measured quantities. How the described situation in each of the considered cases is expected to change with the sharpness of the samples [1] and how the way it interacts with fields and develop currents, affects the measurements [2]?

 

[1] Estimation of semiconductor-like pigment concentrations in paint mixtures and their differentiation from paint layers using first-derivative reflectance spectra, Talanta, 2016.

[2] On smoothening the singular field developed in the vicinity of metallic edges, International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, 2009.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript contains a description of the Use of 2D sulfide and oxide compounds as functional semiconducting pigments in protective organic coatings containing zinc dust.  For this study, prominent representatives from the group of transition metal dichalcogenides (MoS2, WS2) layered transition metal oxides (MoO3, WO3) and other semiconductor materials (ZnS and ZnO) were used. The layered ultra-thin structure of these particles was predisposed to provide enhanced mechanical and anticorrosion performance. The results of experimental techniques have shown enhancement and an increase in both mechanical and anticorrosion performance when using these special types of inorganic pigments.

The results are well discussed, and the relationship between chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties is well established.

However, some imperfections remain, and I ask the authors to rectify them.

(1)   The author should give a detailed explanation of the specifications of the binder used in Figure 1. The FTIR spectrum of the binder was used to prepare an organic coating containing inorganic pigments.

(2)   This type of commercial binder is excellent for quick-drying primers and topcoats and has very good adhesion and chemical resistance. This type of binder is recommended by the manufacturer for the preparation of highly pigmented zinc anti-corrosion coatings. Ensure that the specific source or reference for the sentence in question is provided to support its validity.

(3)   Only elemental mapping will be displayed when conducting an EDS spectrum.

(4)   It would be beneficial to include the particle size distribution image for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. This visual data will greatly assist readers in understanding the sample's characteristics and properties.

(5)   Compare the materials with others and create a table for reference.

(6)   The novelty of the study is low and should be improved.

(7)   A comparison with previously published results of similar materials should be discussed and summarized in a Table.

(8)   The language should be revised, and typos should be corrected.

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf