One-Step Electrosynthesis of Bifunctional NiCu Nanosheets on Iron Foam for Remarkably Enhanced Alkaline Water Splitting
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript entitled “One-step electrosynthesis of bifunctional NiCu nanosheets on 2 iron foam for remarkably enhanced alkaline water splitting” introduced effective material for water splitting for hydrogen production which enhance the way for energy sustainability. The title is stated in adequate alignment with the manuscript content. The abstract is written in proper way. Whole manuscript is designed in well organized structure. However, the discussion part needs more illustration, I relation to the literature as follow:
For example, the authors mentioned in the introduction part “Recently, numerous cost-effective transition metal-based electrocatalysts have been reported for water splitting, such as phosphides [13, 14], nitride [15, 16], oxides [17, 18], hydroxides [19, 20], carbides [21, 22] and alloys [23-25]”. These previously applied materials have to be compared with developed materials in this work in term of efficiency, performance and others.
Author Response
We greatly appreciate this referee for the positive comments. We have considered the kind suggestions and questions carefully and made the following detailed responses.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This manuscript deals with the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of a bifunctional hierarchical NiCu nanosheet array electrocatalyst in the alkaline water splitting. Characterization and experimental tests were performed in-depth. The manuscript was well written and can be accept after the following questions being addressed.
1. In the Materials and Methods part, the term “was purchased” is repeated in many times.
2. The author should clarify the sample “CN/IF electrode” in line #116 and the sample “CN/IF electrode” in line #119.
3. The author should justify the chosen of synthesis condition of CN/IF electrode at 60 ℃ in 0.1 M NiSO4 solution.
4. Figure 1 (e) is missing.
5. Line #163, The author should evident for the stament that “it can be seen that the NiCu nanosheets tightly and compactly 163 assembled on the porous IF substrate”
The meaning expressed in lines #175 does not match the image(Fig. 1 (e)), please revise it further.
6. What is the related between the obtained results as discribed in line #184-186 and catalytic activity in term of water splitting. The author should deeply discuss.
7. Line #202, Figure 3, image should be named in order a-f.
8. Line # 250, The OER performances of the NiCu/IF, CN/IF and IF should be deeply discussed.
Author Response
We greatly appreciate this referee for the positive comments. We have considered the kind suggestions and questions carefully and made the following detailed responses.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors,
The manuscript (sustainability-2480930) entitled "One-step electrosynthesis of bifunctional NiCu nanosheets on iron foam for remarkably enhanced alkaline water splitting" was reviewed in detail. The work is interesting and understandable to the reader. However, it presents several questions that must be answered and some flaws that must be corrected before being accepted for publication. Please refer to the revised PDF version of the document for comments, questions, and suggestions.
Kind regards
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Regarding the writing in English, there are some sentences that need to be rewritten to improve their comprehension. These were noted in the revised PDF version.
Author Response
We greatly appreciate this referee for the positive comments. We have considered the kind suggestions and questions carefully and made the following detailed responses.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
The authors synthesized a bifunctional hierarchical NiCu nanosheet array electrocatalyst deposited on iron foam (IF) electrode via one-step electrolysis of spend cupronickel, which exhibits excellent catalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1 M KOH. The manuscript is well-organized and can be accepted after addressing the following issue.
The metal content is crucial for the catalytic performance of catalysts. The ICP should be conducted to illustrate the detailed composition of the as-prepared catalysts.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
We greatly appreciate this referee for the positive comments. We have considered the kind suggestions and questions carefully and made the following detailed responses.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Thank you for your respond.
All issues of my concern are addressed. The revised manuscript can be able to submit for publication
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors,
The revised sustainability-2480930 manuscript was revised again. I thank the authors for having responded to each of the questions and comments made during the first review of the manuscript. I consider that the manuscript can now be accepted in its current form for publication in Sustainability.
Congratulations
