Polymer Chemistry

1.0 Scope and Standards 

Polymer Chemistry publishes reviews and important original research in the form of communications and articles covering advances in polymer chemistry encompassing all aspects of synthetic and biological macromolecules, and related emerging areas. It provides a showcase for the ongoing efforts driving polymer chemistry, highlighting the creativity of the field and previously inaccessible applications. 

Main research areas include: 

• Novel synthetic and polymerisation methods
• Reactions and chemistry of polymers
• Novel properties and characterisation of polymers
• Macromolecular structure and function
• Synthesis and application of polymer bioconjugates
• Supramolecular polymer chemistry
• Polymer (nano)composites and architectures     

2.0 Article types 

2.1 Communications 
Communications in Polymer Chemistry contain novel scientific work of such importance and interest that rapid publication is required. Communications are concise and should be around 3 journal pages in length; they may be accompanied by Electronic Supplementary Information. Communications start with a brief unreferenced abstract and do not contain any section headings. A short justification statement must be included with the submission outlining why the work merits rapid publication. 

2.2 Full Papers 
Full Papers in Polymer Chemistry present original high quality primary research that has not been previously published. Articles start with a brief unreferenced abstract and contain an introduction, results and discussion, experimental, and notes and references sections. There is no page limit for Full Papers. 

2.3 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 Mini-reviews should not contain any unpublished original research and should set the topic in the context of the relevant literature.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. 

2.4 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. 

2.5 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. 

3.0 Characterisation guidelines 

In addition to the general guidelines, authors are asked to provide the following data for the characterisation of polymers: 

• Analytical: For all soluble polymers an estimation of molecular weight must be provided by a suitable method, e.g. size exclusion chromatography, including details of columns, eluents and calibration standards, intrinsic viscosity, MALDI TOF, etc. For insoluble and crosslinked polymers, elemental analysis (within ±0.4% of the calculated value) is required to confirm sample purity and composition. For optoelectronic compounds, UV-visible data should be reported. 
  
• Physical: important physical properties, such as T_g and T_m, should be included where appropriate. 
  
• Spectroscopic: For all soluble polymers full NMR characterisation (¹H, ¹³C) in support of the assigned structure, including relevant 2D NMR and related experiments (i.e. NOE, etc) is required. Authors are encouraged to provide copies of these spectra in the ESI. For all polymers Infra Red spectra that support functional group modifications, including other diagnostic assignments should be included.   

4.0 Terminology

For information on the IUPAC recommendations for polymer nomenclature please see the following link: