An Environmentally Friendly Dyeing Method for A Sustainable World: Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performance of Cotton/Wool Blend via Dyeing with Cinnamon
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1- What is the reason for using concentration 10% for mordanting with alum? Is it obtained by designing the experiment or is it determined from previous research?
2- Please provide more details of the cinnamon extraction process.
3- Please add the year of fastness standards and use new methods.
4- It is suggested to merge the fastness tables with each other. If possible, check the light fastness.
5- It is suggested to remove general shapes like Figure 18.
6- Please see this article: 10.30509/pccc.2023.167045.1191 and 10.30509/pccc.2022.167001.1177.
Author Response
RESPONSE TO REVIEWER(S)’ COMMENTS [Manuscript ID: Sustainability-2632064 ]
Reviewer comments:
Reviewer 1
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Thank you for the comments and suggestions.
1- What is the reason for using a concentration of 10% for mordanting with alum? Is it obtained by designing the experiment or is it determined from previous research?
Answer: The cotton wool blend yarn I used in the study was mordanted using different amounts of alum. This amount was used because it was the most optimum among these trials.
2- Please provide more details of the cinnamon extraction process.
Answer: Cinnamon in bark was ground until it was powdered. Afterwards, soft water and cinnamon powder were placed in steel tubes with a flotte ratio of 1/25 and the lids of the tubes were closed well and placed in the machine. The machine programme was adjusted according to the recipe and the temperature was increased from 40 °C to 100 °C in 15 minutes. After 60 minutes at 100 °C, cooling and filtration were performed. The extraction bath was left to rest for 24 hours under room conditions. The extraction bath was stirred before staining and then staining was performed.
3- Please add the year of fastness standards and use new methods.
Answer: The standards used in fastness tests belong to 2020.
4- It is suggested to merge the fastness tables with each other. If possible, check the light fastness.
Answer: Thank you for the suggestion. Fastness test tables have been merged. I am working on light fastness as a separate project.
5- It is suggested to remove general shapes like Figure 18.
Answer: Thank you for the suggestion. Figure 18 was removed.
6- Please see this article: 10.30509/pccc.2023.167045.1191 and 10.30509/pccc.2022.167001.1177.
Answer: Thank you for the suggestion. The articles have been analyzed and I will add them to the literature in my other studies.
I think that the required revisions on the manuscript based on reviewer comments were nicely completed and we would like to do additional revision, if required.
My best regards,
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Title: “An Environmentally Friendly Dying for a Sustainable World: Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performances of Cotton / Wool Blend by Dying with Cinnamon”.
After reviewing the present manuscript, reviewer found that the authors made interesting work and all required analysis Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performances of Cotton / Wool Blend by Dying with Cinnamon. The reviewer found that this manuscript is very fit sustainability MDPI and has following general comments and specific comments with regards to the improvement of the manuscript prior to the publication.
The manuscript is written in good English. The content of the manuscript is well organized, and length and depth of the work is fair and sufficient for an article. Be consistent with the space between units and numbers. Use of stops in appropriate places and correct way of referencing must be carefully looked.
The comments below are organized in order as they appear in the manuscript.
1. Graphical abstract not included- Adding a graphical abstract would help add weightage to the manuscript.
2. Include highlights to the manuscript, to present the most significant findings of the research.
3. Line84- High resolution image is suggested.
4. Line166-Correct the subheading number “2.4”.
5. All the figures and table titles need to be corrected and labelled in similar format.
6. References must be included when referring or stating the work done by other researchers.
7. References need to be arranged according to journal guidelines, DOI is missing in most of the cited references, please include them.
Title: “An Environmentally Friendly Dying for a Sustainable World: Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performances of Cotton / Wool Blend by Dying with Cinnamon”.
After reviewing the present manuscript, reviewer found that the authors made interesting work and all required analysis Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performances of Cotton / Wool Blend by Dying with Cinnamon. The reviewer found that this manuscript is very fit sustainability MDPI and has following general comments and specific comments with regards to the improvement of the manuscript prior to the publication.
The manuscript is written in good English. The content of the manuscript is well organized, and length and depth of the work is fair and sufficient for an article. Be consistent with the space between units and numbers. Use of stops in appropriate places and correct way of referencing must be carefully looked.
The comments below are organized in order as they appear in the manuscript.
1. Graphical abstract not included- Adding a graphical abstract would help add weightage to the manuscript.
2. Include highlights to the manuscript, to present the most significant findings of the research.
Author Response
RESPONSE TO REVIEWER(S)’ COMMENTS [Manuscript ID: Sustainability-2632064 ]
Reviewer comments:
Reviewer 2
After reviewing the present manuscript, reviewer found that the authors made interesting work and all required analysis Investigation of Mechanical and Fastness Performances of Cotton / Wool Blend by Dying with Cinnamon. The reviewer found that this manuscript is very fit sustainability MDPI and has following general comments and specific comments with regards to the improvement of the manuscript prior to the publication.
The manuscript is written in good English. The content of the manuscript is well organized, and length and depth of the work is fair and sufficient for an article. Be consistent with the space between units and numbers. Use of stops in appropriate places and correct way of referencing must be carefully looked.
Answer: Thank you for the comments and suggestions.
The comments below are organized in order as they appear in the manuscript.
- Graphical abstract not included- Adding a graphical abstract would help add weightage to the manuscript.
Answer: Thank you for your suggestion. A graphical summary is attached.
- Include highlights to the manuscript, to present the most significant findings of the research.
Answer: Thank you for the comment. The most important findings of the research are attached.
- Line84- High resolution image is suggested.
Answer: Thank you for your suggestion. The resolution of the image has been increased.
- Line166-Correct the subheading number “2.4”.
Answer: The subheading number has been corrected.
- All the figures and table titles need to be corrected and labelled in similar format.
Answer: Thank you for your suggestion. All figure and table captions have been corrected and written in a similar format.
- References must be included when referring or stating the work done by other researchers.
Answer: Thank you for the comment. References of the researchers are included.
- References need to be arranged according to journal guidelines, DOI is missing in most of the cited references, please include them.
Answer: Thank you for the comment. Deficiencies have been added.
I think that the required revisions on the manuscript based on reviewer comments were nicely completed and we would like to do additional revision, if required.
My best regards,
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
This paper investigates the natural dyeing of cotton/wool blend yarns with cinnamon materials. Unfortunately, I do not see any novelty in this paper that can be of help to a wide range of readers of the Sustainability journal. Below are my detailed comments:
1. English: An extensive level of language editing is required. For instance, please correct typos in the manuscript (e.g., dying -> dyeing). Overall, an academic paper should be written in a professional and scientific tone.
2. Figures: Too many unnecessary figures are present. The author included 24 Figures in the manuscript, but not many figures present important scientific data. For instance, figures 1-8 are unnecessary as they show well-known experimental methods. The quality of figures should be polished; particularly, Figure 23 (FTIR spectra) does not clearly show the differences among the samples.
3. Novelty and significance of the study: Natural dyeing of textile materials has been studied for a very long time. The author should clarify how this research differs from previous studies and how this study can contribute to society and the academic field.
4. Experimental Design: The characterization of the dyed yarns is too simple and does not deliver robust enough data. This research only evaluates the dyed yarns' color, color fastness, and morphology changes. Not enough chemistry or dyeing mechanisms were discussed to be published in a well-circulated academic journal.
1. English: An extensive level of language editing is required. For instance, please correct typos in the manuscript (e.g., dying -> dyeing). Overall, an academic paper should be written in a professional and scientific tone.
Author Response
RESPONSE TO REVIEWER(S)’ COMMENTS [Manuscript ID: Sustainability-2632064 ]
Reviewer comments:
Reviewer 3
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
This paper investigates the natural dyeing of cotton/wool blend yarns with cinnamon materials. Unfortunately, I do not see any novelty in this paper that can be of help to a wide range of readers of the Sustainability journal. Below are my detailed comments:
Answer: Thank you for the comment.
It seems inevitable that our world, where the wheels of industry are turning very fast and the diversity in production is changing synthetically, uses natural products. In addition, it may be remarkable that cotton, a cellulosic fiber, and wool, a protein fiber, are dyed in one bath and the results are good enough to be used easily in the sector. I think it is important to dye cotton, which has a slightly anionic structure, and wool, which has a cationic structure, in one bath. It is also important that cotton, which is dyed in a basic environment in traditional methods, and wool, which is dyed in an acidic environment, can be dyed in the same environment. This was achieved with cinnamon, a natural dye. In addition, the damage caused by synthetic dyes to the world is not sustainable. Even this situation will be enough to attract the attention of Sustainability journal readers.
- English: An extensive level of language editing is required. For instance, please correct typos in the manuscript (e.g., dying -> dyeing). Overall, an academic paper should be written in a professional and scientific tone.
Answer: Thank you for the comment. There has been extensive language revision. Typos in the draft have been corrected
- Figures: Too many unnecessary figures are present. The author included 24 Figures in the manuscript, but not many figures present important scientific data. For instance, figures 1-8 are unnecessary as they show well-known experimental methods. The quality of figures should be polished; particularly, Figure 23 (FTIR spectra) does not clearly show the differences among the samples.
Answer: Thank you for the comment.
Natural dyeing is a process that people can easily use in daily life. There are plants such as cinnamon bark, walnut bark, onion peel, turmeric, and thyme used in natural dyeing. I aimed to benefit the experimental designs to be used in new studies with these dyes. Because with the figures, the reader can see all the processes of the method visually.
The quality of the figures has been improved. Comments on FTIR have been expanded.
- Novelty and significance of the study: Natural dyeing of textile materials has been studied for a very long time. The author should clarify how this research differs from previous studies and how this study can contribute to society and the academic field.
Answer: Thank you for the comment.
In an environment where environmental pollution is increasing and epidemic diseases are widespread, people's interest in natural products is increasing again. This situation should also become widespread in the production sector. In an environment where freshwater resources are gradually decreasing, dyeing blend fibers in a single bath means less water use and less wastewater. It is also very important that the wastewater of natural dyeing will cause less damage to nature. I think that these studies will contribute to our future both for human health and environmental advantages.
- Experimental Design: The characterization of the dyed yarns is too simple and does not deliver robust enough data. This research only evaluates the dyed yarns' color, color fastness, and morphology changes. Not enough chemistry or dyeing mechanisms were discussed to be published in a well-circulated academic journal.
Answer: Thank you for the comment.
I think it is scientifically important to create optimum dyeing conditions for a natural dye and a blended yarn consisting of natural fibers to obtain good results. In a dyeing process, it is important to find the appropriate pH, temperature, and time without reducing the strength of the fiber and the compatibility of the chemicals used in dyeing. In addition, the mechanical performance increases in the fiber in a blended state with a chemical process are remarkable. Even this situation proves the accuracy of the method used in dyeing. My studies on the dyeing mechanism continue in a separate project.
I think that the required revisions on the manuscript based on reviewer comments were nicely completed and we would like to do additional revision, if required.
My best regards,
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Almost none of my critical comments have been addressed in this revised version. There are still too many unnecessary figures, and unlike the authors' response letter, not much texts were revised. I raised a serious question about the novelty and scientific discussion of this work, however, the revision has not improved.
The quality of the English language has been improved.
Author Response
RESPONSE TO REVIEWER(S)’ COMMENTS [Manuscript ID: Sustainability-2632064 ]
Reviewer comments:
Reviewer 3
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Almost none of my critical comments have been addressed in this revised version. There are still too many unnecessary figures, and unlike the authors' response letter, not much texts were revised. I raised a serious question about the novelty and scientific discussion of this work, however, the revision has not improved.
Answer: Thank you for the comment.
Most of the figures have been removed from the manuscript.
In the textile sector, dyehouses are places that produce a lot of pollution. This pollution is not sustainable for our world. This study aims to find the optimum dyeing conditions for dyeing a blended yarn with cinnamon and to prove the positive reflection of the applied method on the results. For this, hundreds of trials were carried out for a long time. Thus, cinnamon is sure to be a good alternative for dyeing textile fibres due to its ecological advantages.
It is also known that chemical substances in finishing processes damage the fibre and even cause serious polymerisation degree decreases in cotton. In this study, the increase in strength has also been scientifically proven. This is a novelty in the world of science.
Establishment of optimum dyeing conditions of the cotton wool blend was added to the method section and the importance of good dyeing results for an environmentally friendly production was added to the results and discussion section.
My best regards,
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
