Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Pyrolyzed Biochar Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Biocomposite Films

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript entitled, ‘Electrical and mechanical properties of sugarcane bagasse pyro- 2
lyzed biochar reinforced polyvinyl alcohol biocomposite films’ reported formation of biochar from polymer and waste sugarcane bagasse. The topic is quite interesting but there is some lack of some information. I am mentioning some to correct before submission.

1. As biochar form after incomplete combustion, the surface hydrophilic groups are compromised. Could the author tell about the compatibility issues between biochar and PVA?
2. Did the author delignify the bagasse? Is the biochar composed fraction of cellulose, lignin and sugar?
3. In Figure 7, initially the biochar filled composites were showing low conductance. Could the author explain it?
4. Graphitic carbon based fillers always improve electrical conductivity. In this context, it will be better if the author mention few articles in their discussion for enlighten; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-019-02892-y; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2005.10.016; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2017.11.028; https://doi.org/10.1002/app.36308; https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-019-7039-y.
5. How the temperatures affect the electrical conductivity?
6. It will be better if the author give the elongation at break for the composites.
7. Could the author tell in little about the thermal stability of the composites? Little discussion will be better in this area.

Author Response

Please see the attached file

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The present paper has sound. It is well discussed.

Several minor recommendations to enhance the paper:

-Fig7-8 need to have error bars.

-Please have more references about different carbon effects on the polymer structure and properties : 10.1177/0892705717734603; 10.1002/app.48814; 10.1080/10584587.2016.1182394; 10.1155/2015/123469. many others also exist.

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Line 193, please change "proximity" to "proximate"

The article is well written and the conclusions are justified by the results, but could you explain why did you use PVA? It is water-soluble and therefore sample preparation is easy, but for the same reason, it cannot be used as a component of a coating.  Also, water absorption influences strongly electrical properties. I would advise you to use at further studies other polymers; for example, PVC  is easily soluble in cyclohexanone and can be used for film preparation in the same way as PVA. 

Author Response

Please see the attached file

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The comments are taken care carefully. Now this can be published in its present form.

Reviewer 2 Report

Paper can be accepted.