Multiple Analysis and Characterization of Novel and Environmentally Friendly Feather Protein-Based Wood Preservatives
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The author prepared and used non toxic preservative applicable in wood, its an interesting article and written well.
Before publication some minor revisions needed
It would be easier to reader to understand the preparation if the preservative preparation can be summarized in scheme. Introduction is too short, please add more about the current preservative in wood application. Please add error bar in Figure 8
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Title: Multiple analysis and characterization of a novel and environmentally friendly feather protein-based wood preservatives
This study investigated the feasibility of using feather as the source of protein and combining with copper and boron salts to prepare wood preservatives, with nano-hydroxyapatite or nano-graphene oxide as nano-carriers. The treatability of preservative formulations, the changes of chemical structure, micromorphology, crystallinity, thermal properties and chemical composition of wood cell walls during the impregnation and decay experiment were investigated by retention rate of the preservative, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, thermoanalysis, and confocal Raman microscopy techniques. The paper is interesting in general and falls into the scope of journal.
Please consider the following comments and suggestions.
1 In the Introduction part, are there any other solutions for wood preservative? A brief summary upon the pros and cons of other ways should be given. Also, wood is one of sustainable construction materials and it is getting more and more popular. How about possible ways to retrofit the deteriorated wood in construction field? Can the current work benefit the wood materials and promote its durability when wood is used in construction field? It will be more interesting to give a brief explanation.
2 In the introduction part, what is real current knowledge gap compared to a lot of other preservation approaches in this field? What is the novelty of current work compared to previous? Please clarify. Some of the related literatures are recommended for the authors to refer as follows.
[1] Potential of teak heartwood extracts as a natural wood preservative. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017, 142: 2093-2099.
[2] A review of wood-frame low-rise building performance study under hurricane winds. Engineering Structures, 2017, 141: 512-529.
[3] Effect of moisture on the mechanical properties of CFRP–wood composite: an experimental and atomistic investigation. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2015, 71: 63-73.
3 The lines in figure 2 are a bit hard to distinguish. Modification is needed.
4 According to the conclusion, it is claimed that protein-based preservatives could be served as effective, environmentally friendly and cost-competitive alternatives for traditional wood preservatives. Is there any comparison upon cost evaluation of current way with other approaches? A solid backup for the claim is needed.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Can be accepted after correcting the title and author names of all references. There are some errors in some references.
Author Response
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