EditSprings Expert Academic Assessment Report

Materials and methods

What is the specific significance of the findings?
The specific significance of the present findings is mainly relying on the new insights provided in relation to the surface chemistry and electronic properties of different types of sp2/sp3-hybridized nanocarbon materials. Given their extensive use in the field of catalysis, the present results provide valuable information in relation to the underlying mechanism of carbon-catalyzed reactions.

Novelty

The novelty level of the findings
The novelty of the present work is the elucidation of the essential differences between conventional sp2-hybridized nanocarbons(NCs) and sp3-hybridized ultra-dispersed nanodiamonds(NDs) and theirs' derivatives(UNDDs), by means of advanced characterization techniques, such as EELS, XPS, etc. More importantly, probe reactions were employed to fully gain insight into structure-property relationships. The novelty level is considered very good.
What new discoveries or conclusions are presented?
The present findings clearly revealed that the differences in surface chemistry (e.g. oxygen defects) and electronic properties(e.g. work function) can be mainly accounted for the diferences in catalytic activity. In this regard, the superior reactivity of UNDDs can receive a consistent explanation; the specific electronic structure and the lower work function of UNDDs are mainly responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity.

Abstract

Does the abstract concisely and accurately state the basic content of a finding?
Towards improving the abstract of the present article the following issues should be considered:
- it should outine the methods used to accomplish the main objectives
- it should shortly present the main findings
- it should draw the main conclusions

Introduction

Does the introduction contain complete reference to enable the reader to clearly place the current work in the context of what is already known?
The latest advances in the field should be clearly stated and shortly discussed, in order the originality and the novelty of the present work to be revealed. In particular, the argument that"the essential differences between a UNDD system and conventional NCs in catalytic reactions have rarely been studied"should be justified. What about the studies so far performed in relation to surface chemistry and catalytic properties of NDs-based materials?
Is there a lack of association between the findings and prior research?
Although the latest works in the field are properly cited, there is no corresponding discussion about the recent developments in the field towards revealing the step beyond attempted in the present study. Since the present work aims at exploring the physicochemical properties of UNDDs, the recent advances in the field should be clearly stated.

Materials and methods

Are enough details provided for a compe-tent worker to repeat the study and reproduce the results?
Materials and Methods were not provided. However, based on the online supporting information of the aforementioned paper the following issues should be considered:
- Not enough information is provided about the preparation of GR and MWCNTs
- The reaction conditions(catalyst mass, flow rate, GHSV) should be clearly stated

Results

Are the data, digested and condensed.presented with important trends extracted and described?
YES. However, towards improving the impact of the present work the following issues could be considered:
Besides TPD, TPR studies could be also carried out to gain insight into the reactivity of different oxygen functional groups(surface, bulk, interface) as well as into the oxygen storage capacity (OSC). These studies are expected to shed more light towards establishing a more reliable structure-activity relationship.

Discussion

Does the discussion rest firmly on theevide-nce presented in the results section?
To improve the impact of the present work towards publishing in a higher IF journal the following issues should be also considered:
1) The relationship between sp2(%), SBET and conductivity should be discussed in a more thorough manner.
2) The catalytic activity is mainly related with the work function.
It could be of major importance to provide/discuss the role of other identifying parameters(conductivity. oxygen abundance, surface area, etc) on the catalytic activity. Despite the fact that a completely different type of probe reactions is employed.
(one oxidation and one reduction process)a similar trend is obtained(Fig.5). An explanation should be provided.

The suitability to the intended journal

The intended journal:Chemical Communications

Is the manuscript suitable to be submitted to this journal?
YES
Advantages of submiting the manuscript to the jourmal recommended
Publishes urgent, high quality communications from across the chemical sciences; high impact factor and readability: the fastest publisher of articles providing information on new avenues of research.
Disadvantages of submitting the manuscri-pt to the journal recommended

EditSprings Journal Recommendation Report

No.1 The Most Likely Target Journal

Journal Name: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Impact Factor: 4.123
Website:http: /www.rsc.org/journals-books-databases/about-journals/PCCP/
Review process: 2 weeks
Publication cycle: three-step process,i.e. manuscript submission, peer review and post-acceptance preparation. The timeline depends mainly on the length of review process.
Advantages of submitting the manuscript to the journal recommended
publication of cutting-edge original work in physical chemis-try; high impact factor and readability, highly cited articles; rigorous and fair peer review process.
Disadvantages of submitting the manuscri-pt to the joumal recommended
The article could be published in journals of higher impact factor if suitably modified(see comments above). In that case new experiments in conjunction with major modifications are required by authors.

No.2 The Second-choice journal

Journal Name: Nanoscale
Impact Factor: 7.367
Website:http: //www.rsc.org/journals-books-databases/about-journals/nanoscale/
Review process: 2-3 weeks
Publication cycle: three-step process,i.e. manuscript submission, peer review and post-acceptance preparation. The timeline depends mainly on the length of review process.
Advantages of submitting the manuscript to the journal recommended
A high impact international journal publishing high quality research across nanoscience and nanotechnology;high impact factor,highly cited articles.
Disadvantages of submitting the manuscri-pt to the joumal recommended
There may be a risk of rejection.

No.3 The third-choice journal

Journal Name: ACS Catalysis
Impact Factor: 10.614
Website:http: //pubs.acs.org/journal/accacs
Review process: 2-3 weeks
Publication cycle: three-step process,i.e. manuscript submission, peer review and post-acceptance preparation. The timeline depends mainly on the length of review process.
Advantages of submitting the manuscript to the journal recommended
One of the best jourmals in catalysis;high impact factor and readability;highly cited articles.
Disadvantages of submitting the manuscri-pt to the joumal recommended
There may be a risk of rejection.