Effect of Graphene Oxide as a Reinforcement in a Bio-Epoxy Composite

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments

This paper studied the effect of graphene oxide as a reinforcement in a bio-epoxy composite. The outcome is interesting for readers. However, there are several aspects that need to be improved. The reviewer can only recommend for publication if the author satisfactorily address the following comments in the revised version.

1. While GO can enhance the properties of composites, the commercial application of this material is highly dependent on its cost. Suggest the author make comments in this aspect somewhere in the paper.
2. How about other types of resin? Can GO work with them similar to epoxy?
3. How the author selected 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.6 wt. % GO? In general it seems very low number.
4. What percentage of GO in composites should be considered as optimal amount?
5. The failure mechanism of the specimen should be discussed more clearly.
6. How many replicate samples were tested in each category for mechanical test?
7. The novelty of the study should be highlighted at the end of introduction section. How this study is different from the published study in literature?
8. How the outcome of this study will benefit researchers and end users? This need to be highlighted in introduction or end of conclusion.
9. The background study on the addition of fillers in polymer composites is insufficient. In a recent study fillers were added in polymer composites and found that the hygrothermal properties can be improved [Ref: Ageing of particulate-filled epoxy resin under hygrothermal conditions]. Moreover, the filler is also effective in improving UV resisting properties of polymer composites [Ref: Effects of ultraviolet solar radiation on the properties of particulate-filled epoxy based polymer coating]. Suggest to include them in introduction section with proper citations to improve the background study.

I would be happy to see the revised version to understand how these comments are being addressed.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

• At the outset, I would like to commend the authors for a very comprehensive paper, which covers all the aspects of the thermos-mechanical properties of the bio-epoxy/GO composites. The paper is very well written.
• The experimental and characterization analysis is very comprehensive and explained well with scientific reasons.
• The results have been compared very well with the existing literature.
• There are just a few typo errors, which should be corrected.

I congratulate all the authors on this comprehensive work and an excellent presentation. Good Luck.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx