- Peer Review**
1) organically modified mesoporous silica is widely studied in chemistry and materials science, so its definitely an appropriate topic.
link to the "sensor" wikipedia page.
2) The introduction is written in a relatively nontechnical way, which is appropriate. I don't think it really highlights why the development of mesoporous silica is important and why the porosity leads to the applications.
First, reiterate what is said in the 'mesoporous' wiki site- the nm range of micro, meso, macroporous. Next, add to the sentence:
"Compared to early mesoporous materials, mesoporous organosilicas have much more useful properties"
you should list some examples of mesoporous materials (zeolites right?) and their faults. Then, simply say that mesoporous materials address the problems. Its probably worthwhile to say that the silica is a 3d inorganic network, so with organic modifiers, inorganic/organic hybrids are formed.
3)
The background goes through why porosity is important for surface interactions and diffusion rates and hence the motivation for the research. Again, you should talk a little bit about zeolites, what their problems were, and how these materials address that. After this, the research background is great.
You should mention the importance of these materials in electrochemistry as electrode modifiers- i list two references in #6.
Also, the use of "sol gel" synthesis needs to be addressed. its just nomenclature, but there is a nice wikipedia topic on it that would really be nice to supplement your page.
5) The three figures provided aid in the understanding of the topic.
You need to add a couple more figures:
a graphic of a silica 2D network showing how a mesoporous material is different and distinct from the normal silica crystal structure.
a cartoon of a simple PMO
6) mesoporous silica is important in analytical chemistry, especially electrochemistry. list these:
Walcarius, A.; Collinson, M. M. Analytical Chemistry with Silica Sol-Gels: Traditional Routes to New Materials for Chemical Analysis. Annu. Rev. Anal. Chem. 2009, 2, 121-143
Walcarius, A.; Mandler, D.; Cox, J. A.; Collinson, M.; Lev, Ovadia. Exciting New Directions in the Intersection of Functionalized Sol-Gel Materials with Electrochemistry. J. Mater. Chem. 2005, 15, 3663-3689.
7) The language is appropriate, but i think it could be a little more clear by more thoroughly laying out the basics. I suggested additions to the introduction earlier.
The first part of the background could be cleared up too:
The need for better surface interaction with larger structures such as polymers, nanoscale clusters, and wires and enhanced diffusion rates of the structures within the pores necessitated the development of porous structures more efficient than zeolites. Mesoporous materials were thus developed along these lines.
this sentence is confusing because you arent specific on what interaction you are talking about and its really long- split it into two. Maybe something like the interaction between a molecule and the surface of polymers, clusters, wires... Diffusion of analytes in the pores of a material etc..
In the synthesis section, having the first sentence be the various methods of synthesis: EISA, surfactant, electrochemical deposition, templating, etc. Then go into specifics of each.