The Adsorptive and Photocatalytic Performance of Granite and Basalt Waste in the Discoloration of Basic Dye
, Tatiana G. Josue 2, Othavio H. L. Nogueira 2, Laura S. Ribas 2, Maria E. K. Fuziki 1, Angelo M. Tusset 3, Onelia A. A. Santos 1 and Giane G. Lenzi 1
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors of this article (catalysts-1920721) investigated the adsorptive and catalytic activity of rock powders from basaltic and granitic rocks in the discoloration of synthetic and industrial effluents containing the basic yellow organic dye under visible light irradiation. The rock powder was characterized by several analytical techniques. The topic of this work is novel, but the application proposed is not so novel to be published in high quality journal. To my opinion, after revision, the main problem with this work is that it doesn't offer enough novelty in the field of organic pollutants' adsorption or degradation by natural rock powder material, and it didn't make a major improvement. The arguments regarding the outcomes of material characterization and the degradation route require revision and reinforcement. Some other comments to improve the manuscript. My comments: 1. The abstract should be presented a summary of the ideas and outcomes described in the paper. The current form needs a major revision. 2. The language of the manuscript should be improved to enhance readability. 4. Introduction. The introduction section should be expanded. The literature review is one of the main parts of a scientific paper to show your novelty and alert the readers that you are aware of the performed researches. This section is not well structured for the paragraphs need to be revised to match the center topic of this manuscript. Key references: doi:10.1088/1755-1315/958/1/012011 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.115961 5. the quality of figures and figure captions should be improved. 6. The authors should give the value of the irradiance (incident light intensity of the UV-lamp in mW/cm2) 7. Had the authors studied the leaching of elements after treatment? 8. The conclusion should be improved to be more informative.Author Response
The authors are thankful for the comments and corrections of the reviewers.
Referee 1
The authors of this article (catalysts-1920721) investigated the adsorptive and catalytic activity of rock powders from basaltic and granitic rocks in the discoloration of synthetic and industrial effluents containing the basic yellow organic dye under visible light irradiation. The rock powder was characterized by several analytical techniques. The topic of this work is novel, but the application proposed is not so novel to be published in high quality journal. To my opinion, after revision, the main problem with this work is that it doesn't offer enough novelty in the field of organic pollutants' adsorption or degradation by natural rock powder material, and it didn't make a major improvement. The arguments regarding the outcomes of material characterization and the degradation route require revision and reinforcement. Some other comments to improve the manuscript.
My comments:
- The abstract should be presented a summary of the ideas and outcomes described in the paper. The current form needs a major revision.
The abstract has been revised.
- The language of the manuscript should be improved to enhance readability.
The language has been improved
- Introduction. The introduction section should be expanded. The literature review is one of the main parts of a scientific paper to show your novelty and alert the readers that you are aware of the performed researches. This section is not well structured for the paragraphs need to be revised to match the center topic of this manuscript. Key references:
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/958/1/012011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.115961
Introduction section has been improved and the suggested references have been added.
- The quality of figures and figure captions should be improved.
The quality and the captions of the figures have been improved.
- The authors should give the value of the irradiance (incident light intensity of the UV-lamp in mW/cm2)
The lamp irradiance was indicated in Figure 5 (7.14 mW/cm2)
For better understanding, the information was also added in the Materials and Methods section, subsection 4.2, as follows:
“The light source used was a 250 W mercury vapor lamp (irradiance: 7.14 mW/cm2), which attached above the reactor.”
- Had the authors studied the leaching of elements after treatment?
Unfortunately, no leaching tests were performed.
- The conclusion should be improved to be more informative.
The conclusion has been improved
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This work reports the adsorptive and photocatalytic performance of Granite and Basalt Waste in the discoloration of Basic Dye. The adsorptive and photocatalytic performance has been well studied. Some issues should be solved before publication:
1. the TEM of the samples should be measured, and the elemental mapping should be measured.
2. The XPS of the samples should be provided.
3. Authors may request to discuss about the importunate of semiconductor-based photocatalysis in the introduction part such as: Chem. Eng. J., 2020, 402, 126165; Chem. Eng. J., 2022, 428, 131158; Catalysts, 2020, 10, 1166; Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2017, 4, 1155; J. Colloid Interface Sci., 2019, 556, 335-344. J. Colloid Interface Sci., 2018, 530, 171-178.
4.Paper should be checked for language errors.
Author Response
The authors are thankful for the comments and corrections of the reviewers.
Referee 2
This work reports the adsorptive and photocatalytic performance of Granite and Basalt Waste in the discoloration of Basic Dye. The adsorptive and photocatalytic performance has been well studied. Some issues should be solved before publication:
- the TEM of the samples should be measured, and the elemental mapping should be measured.
Unfortunately, the indicated analysis not available at our university.
- The XPS of the samples should be provided.
Unfortunately, the indicated analysis not available at our university
- Authors may request to discuss about the importunate of semiconductor-based photocatalysis in the introduction part such as: Chem. Eng. J., 2020, 402, 126165; Chem. Eng. J., 2022, 428, 131158; Catalysts, 2020, 10, 1166; Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2017, 4, 1155; J. Colloid Interface Sci., 2019, 556, 335-344. J. Colloid Interface Sci., 2018, 530, 171-178.
Suggested references have been added in the Introduction section.
4.Paper should be checked for language errors.
The language has been improved
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript has been carefully revised and all comments have been appropriately addressed. I think the manuscript's quality has improved a lot after the revision. Therefore, I will recommend that the manuscript could be accepted for publication.
