Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Amine-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide via Plasma Treatment

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript entitled "Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Amine-functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide via Plasma Treatment" reports the amine-functionalization of reduced graphene oxide by plasma treatment and the comparison of its mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties with that of non-modified RGO.

The manuscript does deserve publication after major revision.

The most important comments for authors are:

1. The adverb “Yet” has been overused in the manuscript
2. Sample preparation part:
   1. It should be specified the concentration of amine-based hardener added with respect to epoxy resin.
   2. Selected concentrations between range 0-1.50 wt% must be detailed.
   3. Why is 1.25 wt% concentration missed?
3. Sample characterization part:
   1. Equations are too small.
   2. Define c_p of the equation (1)-
   3. Line 180: effective area is A¢ in the equation.
4. Characterization of powder materials part:
   1. Do the authors have any idea about the number of layers of nanoparticles? TEM analysis could allow its determination.
   2. Table 2 and 3 should appear after text where they are referred.
   3. XPS spectra and curve-fitting should be shown in the manuscript. At least the C1s and N1s spectra should be presented. It is not indicated how elemental composition determination from XPS analysis is obtained.
5. Mechanical properties part:
   1. Line 248: It should be pointed out in this sentence how authors confirm that microcracks are formed (Figure 4).
   2. Line 269: What does “cf.” mean?
6. Do the authors any explanation of why specific heat capacity increases up to 0.75 wt% and then decreases?
7. The conclusions are relatively long and should be simplified.
8. If it would be possible, authors should try to use newest bibliography.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript presents an extensive characterization of reduced graphene oxide reinforced polymeric composites, analyzing the effects of nano-powder functionalization by plasma treatment. The work is absolutely flawless in the experimental set-up description as well as in the results reporting; at the same time, however, in my opinion is lacking in significant scientific soundness, since there’s no findings really new for the skilled reader and, mainly, the effect of the functionalization is poor.

Thus I have no recommendation for this work: considering it for publication depends on the editorial policy regarding to the rate of acceptance, as far as the degree of required scientific novelty is concerned.   

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors, I really appreciate you have fully addressed my concerns, and the manuscript is now satisfactory for publication in this journal.