PONE-D-24-36662Nanoscale Grinding: Unlocking the Nutrient Potential of Oxidized Phosphate Rocks for Sustainable Fertilizer InnovationPLOS ONE

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PLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: N/A

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: I read the manuscript “Nanoscale Grinding: Unlocking the Nutrient Potential of Oxidized Phosphate Rocks for Sustainable Fertilizer Innovation”, which aims to understand the effect of intensive grinding to nanoscale of phosphate rocks from Egypt.

The study involved petrographical characteristics, physical cominuation using jaw and mill, chemical, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, BET surface area analysis and leaching experiments using acetic acid. The data are excellent, and the topic is very interesting, since the results will help to increase efficiency and performance through the application of new emerging nano-fertilizers technology.

I found the English in the manuscript well-written, although I am not a native English speaker. Nonetheless, some improvements are needed to enhance the manuscript’s quality.

The main point is the effect of cominuation on the crystal size. The authors related the cominuation to the formation of amorphous and to change in the chemical composition. This topic needs be better explore with reference support. For example, I indicate the paper DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b05157 that shows the influence of grain size in the XRD data. The XRD does not indicate increases of amorphous phase in the samples with cominuation.

The manuscript need more support of reference in the discussion topic.

The nonconformity between chemical analyses of samples as well as FT-IR analysis in the different granulometry samples must be redone to check if it is not an analytical problem.

I added some comments in the pdf file. The green marks indicate some doubt that need improved/clarified.

A location map, with regional indication and geology is mandatory.

Put figures 2 and 3 in a single figure as well as figures 6 and 7. This will help to compare the samples characteristics. The other figures are very good.

Please do not use “&” as synonyms of “and”

Although I indicated minor revisions, a very careful revision needs to be done by the authors to increase the quality of future publication.

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Reviewer #1: Yes:  Adriana Maria Coimbra Horbe

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Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-24-36662.pdf

Nanoscale Grinding: Unlocking the Nutrient Potential of Oxidized Phosphate Rocks for Sustainable Fertilizer Innovation

PONE-D-24-36662R1

Dear Dr. Khedr,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Amitava Mukherjee, ME, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: