Effects of Pyrolysis and Ball-Milling on the Physicochemical and Rhodamine B Removal Characteristics of Rice-Bran-Derived Biochar

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Overall, this article is well-written and presents detailed analytical results on the effects of pyrolysis and ball-milling on the physicochemical and adsorption of rice bran-derived biochar. However, the below are comments to improve the clarity and readability of the article.

 Title: The title could be more specific and descriptive, providing a clear indication of the study's focus and results. For example, the title could include information on the pyrolysis temperature and ball-milling time, as well as the RhB removal.

 Abstract: The abstract could be revised to include more information on the experimental design and highlight the significant results.

 Introduction: The introduction could be improved by providing more specific details on the current state of research on pyrolysis and ball-milling of agro-waste and related studies of rice-bran-derived biochar. Include information on the limitations of current methods for removing heavy metals and dyes from water and how biochar could potentially address these limitations. Moreover, an introductory paragraph about RhB should be included.

 Methodology: Please clarify why 50 mg of the biochar and RhB solution (10 µM) were selected. Also provide more details on the experimental conditions for studying the effects of the biochar dose and contact reaction time on RhB.

 Results and discussion: The interpretation of the data and discussion in relation to the existing literature is somewhat limited. To strengthen the manuscript, a more thorough and detailed comparison of the findings with the relevant literature should be provided. Additionally, explicit references to the specific studies that the current research is building upon should be included, as well as any divergences or discrepancies between the results of the current study and those reported in the literature.

A legend for Fig3 should also be added.

To better understand the rate at which the dye is being removed by the biochar, it would be beneficial to include a kinetic study of adsorption. Additionally, to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded conclusion, it is suggested to expand the investigation by including additional pyrolysis temperatures such as 800°C and longer ball-milling times such as 200 and 260 minutes. These additional data points would enhance the generalizability of the study's findings and provide valuable insights for future research in this area.

 Conclusion: Please briefly state the limitations of this research work and suggest future research path. 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

vxxxxI recommend the publication of this work, but with after considering the following remarks. First, the introduction, is weak compared to the available studies on this work, it is necessary to add the recent works. For the degradation part of RhB add the absorbance spectra and also the kinetic part

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx