Optimization of Processing Parameters to Increase Thermal Conductivity of Rice Straw Fiber Film

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript entitled “ Optimization of processing parameters to increase thermal conductivity
of rice straw fiber film by Xianglan Ming *, Haitao Chen, Donghai Wang, reports the possibility of modification of thermal conductivity of biodegradable rice straw fiber mulching film  by addition of charcoal.  The Authors reached  the aim of the study by  addition 20% charcoal as well as optimisation of mulch film composition.
Specific comments:
In the paragraph 3.2.2 the Authors indicated on the possibility of chemical reactions between functional groups of wet strength agent  well as  neutral sizing agent  with the fibers. However, it is very difficult for the reader to follow the Authors' reasoning because the paper does not specify what was used as  neutral sizing agent  or wet strength agent.  

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Manuscript Number: applsci-612968

This manuscript reported, Optimization of processing parameters to increase thermal conductivity of rice straw fiber film. After careful reading the manuscript, some important and valuable points were missing in the manuscript. Therefore, the manuscript can be considered for applied sciences publication after figuring out following points.

Comments: Major revision

Author should add relevant references in the introduction part for biodegradable materials (https://doi.org/10.3390/s16060809) with the current state of art. Schematic illustration would be more attractive for experimental details. It should provide the surface microstructure of the films. Explain in detail the additive properties of the Charcoal to improve the thermal conductivity of the plant fiber film. Redrawn all figures. Label and numbers not clearly visualized.

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Both topic and results are interesting and new. However, some minor revisions may improve the quality of the manuscript. 

1- Hence the topic is about rice waste, presenting some information about rice wastes like straw, husk, etc. are essential to give the reader an overall insight on the main used material in the study. Rice waste has many applications, and their potential should be introduced to the readers. The authors are recommended to use the following references and many recent articles in the subject:

"Review on the physicochemical treatments of rice husk for production of advanced materials", Chemical engineering journal, 2015, 264, 899-935. "Development of metal-matrix composites from industrial/agricultural waste materials and their derivatives", Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2016, 46 (2), 143-208. Improving the Interfacial Reaction Between Cristobalite Silica from Rice Husk and Al–Mg–Si by CVD-Si 3 N 4 Deposition, Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-019-00706-w

2- "Vacuum degree" should be replaced with vacuum pressure.

3- Figure 2, the authors can use two rows and two columns, so the figures will be more readable. 

4- Since the results are interesting, the conclusion can be more extended. A short discussion on the optimum condition make the conclusion even more complete.  

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Accepted