Journal of Materials Chemistry
1.0 Scope and Standards
Journal of Materials Chemistry is a weekly, international journal that publishes high impact work on the chemistry of novel materials. The journal has a broad readership, covering all areas of materials chemistry, particularly materials associated with new technologies. Coverage is broad and includes the design and synthesis of materials, their modelling, properties and applications. Papers covering interdisciplinary research and papers from related disciplines are encouraged, in particular those addressing emerging and quickly developing fields.
To be suitable for consideration for publication in Journal of Materials Chemistry, articles must highlight the novel properties or applications of the materials studied. Papers must also highlight the impact and significance of the work for a materials readership to establish the suitability of the article for Journal of Materials Chemistry. Papers that report incremental or derivative research should be directed to a more specialized journal.
The journal accepts work in all areas, including the following:
- Inorganics: ceramics; layered materials; microporous solids and zeolites; silicates and synthetic minerals; biogenic minerals, nanomaterials, bio-related materials.
- Organics: organometallic precursors for thin films/ceramics; novel molecular solids and synthetic polymers with materials applications; polymer composites; biopolymers; biocompatible and biodegradable polymers; liquid crystals (both lyotropic and thermotropic); Langmuir-Blodgett films and self assembled monolayers (SAMs), nanomaterials, biomaterials.
- Electrical properties: semi-, metallic and super-conductivity; ionic conductivity; mixed ionic/electronic conductivity; ferro-, pyro- and piezo-electricity; electroceramics; dielectrics.
- Optical properties: luminescence, phosphorescence, laser action; non-linear optical effects; photoconductivity; photo- and electro-chromism, resists, glasses, amorphous semiconductors; optical modulation and switching.
- Magnetic properties: ferro-, ferri- and antiferro-magnetism, spin glass behaviour, organic magnetism, magnetic bubbles and information storage.
- Chemical properties: ion exchange, molecular separation, catalytic action, sensor action, topochemical control of reactions.
- Structural properties: structural ceramics, refractories; hard materials; protective coatings; composites, adhesives, prosthetic applications.
2.0 Article types
2.1 Communications
Journal of Materials 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.
2.2 Full Papers
Full papers contain original scientific work that has not been published previously.
2.3 Applications
Applications are interdisciplinary review articles covering the applications and properties of a class of materials. Their aim is to feature research in areas which are of significance and importance to materials chemists. The current research in the area might not directly involve chemistry and the article will be focussed on applications and properties of materials. At the end of an Application article authors should identify challenges yet to be overcome and identify areas where chemists can assist in future development of applications and properties.
It is recognised that authors of Applications may be from research areas outside of chemistry. The article should therefore be written in a readable style that is stimulating for a materials chemistry audience and will appeal to the non-specialist. No unpublished results should be presented in an Application. Applications should be around six to eight journal pages, although this may vary slightly depending on the nature of the article. They should include photographs and brief biographies (max 100 words) for up to 6 authors.
These articles are normally published by invitation of the Editorial Office. However, suggestions from authors are welcome and enquiries regarding the submission of invited articles should be directed to the Editor.
2.4 Feature Articles
Feature Articles should bring the reader up-to-date with research in a particular field, highlighting areas of special excitement and progress. Since the readership of Journal of Materials Chemistry is very wide-ranging it is essential that a Feature Article 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 should 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 materials chemistry community in general. No unpublished results should be presented in a Feature Article.
Feature Articles should be eight to ten journal pages, although this may vary slightly depending on the nature of the article. They should include photographs and brief biographies (max 100 words) for up to 6 authors.
These articles are normally published by invitation of the Editorial Office. However, suggestions from authors are welcome and enquiries regarding the submission of invited articles should be directed to the Editor.
2.5 Highlights
Highlight articles are short articles that highlight important new developments made over the past year or so. They should explain the significance of these developments and may also identify where further work is urgently required or where challenges are still faced. These articles should discuss emerging areas of relevance to materials. No unpublished work should be presented in a Highlight.
Highlight articles should be around four journal pages, although this may vary slightly depending on the nature of the article. They should include photographs and brief biographies (max 100 words) for up to 6 authors.
These articles are normally published by invitation of the Editorial Office. However, suggestions from authors are welcome and enquiries regarding the submission of invited articles should be directed to the Editor.
2.6 Comments and Replies
Comments are a medium for the discussion and exchange of scientific opinions normally concerning material published in Journal of Materials 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 Journal of Materials 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.