Polymer Chemistry Article guidelines

Article types

Polymer Chemistry publishes monthly issues containing a full mix of research articles, including Communications, Full Papers, Mini-reviews and Reviews.

Original Research (Full Paper) Articles

Full papers in Polymer Chemistry contain original scientific work that has not been published previously. Please note that the Royal Society of Chemistry strongly discourages the fragmentation of a substantial body of work into a number of short publications. There is no page limit for full paper articles. 

Communication Articles

Polymer Chemistry Communications contain novel scientific work of such importance that rapid publication is desirable. Authors should briefly indicate in a covering letter the reasons why they feel that publication of their work as a communication is justified. The recommended length is three printed journal pages. 

Reviews

Review articles in Polymer Chemistry are normally submitted by invitation. The purpose of a Review is to bring the reader (a research worker in polymer chemistry) up-to-date with research in a particular field, highlighting areas of special excitement and progress. Since the readership of Polymer Chemistry is wide-ranging it is essential that the Review is easily comprehensible to a non-specialist in the field. On the other hand, the article should aim to provide an authoritative in-depth discussion of current progress and problems and should not consist of a laborious account of every paper in the area. Neither should the author concern himself with providing a comprehensive list of references; those of particular interest and significance are all that are required. Authors are encouraged to identify areas in the field where further developments are imminent or of urgent need, and any areas (such as techniques) that may be of significance to the polymer chemistry community in general. Please note that Reviews in Polymer Chemistry  should not contain any original research. 

Mini-reviews

Mini-reviews are highlights or summaries of research in an emerging area in polymer chemistry (typically from the last 2-3 years). Mini-reviews are not intended to be comprehensive overviews, rather they are meant to highlight recent and important developments in that specific subject area. Mini-reviews should not contain any unpublished original research and should set the topic in the context of the relevant literature. A small amount of speculation of possible future developments may also be appropriate in the Conclusions section. The recommended length of a Polymer Chemistry Mini-review is 3 printed journal pages. 

Comments and Replies

Comments are a medium for the discussion and exchange of scientific opinions normally concerning material published in Polymer Chemistry. Submitted Comments will normally be forwarded to the authors of the work being discussed, and these authors will be given the opportunity to submit a Reply for publication together with the Comment. For publication of a Comment or Reply, they must be judged to be scientifically significant and of interest to either the Polymer Chemistry  readership. Comments should not be a personal attack on an individual or group of individuals and will undergo the usual peer-review process. Comments will not normally exceed a length of one printed journal page. Publication will take place only when all parties have had an opportunity to respond appropriately.