Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

2.0 Article types

2.1 Research Papers

Full Research Papers contain original scientific work that has not been published previously. However, extension of work that has appeared in print in a short form such as a PCCP Communication or Chemical Communication is encouraged. There are no restrictions on the length of a paper.

Authors should include a brief discussion in the Introduction that sets the context for the novel work and gives their motivation for carrying out the study.

2.2 Perspectives

These are commissioned by the PCCP Editorial Board and Editorial Office; suggestions from readers for topics and authors of Perspectives are most welcome and should be directed to the Editor. Perspectives are intended to be high profile articles that present an authoritative state-of-the-art account of the selected research field. A Perspective may take the form of a personal account of research, or a critical analysis of a topic of current interest. In either form, some new unpublished research may be included. Perspectives manuscripts undergo a full and rigorous peer review procedure, in the same way as regular PCCP research papers. Notes on the preparation of Perspectives are available from the Editor.

2.3 Communications

These contain either a complete study or a preliminary report but in either case must contain original and highly significant work whose interest to the PCCP readership and high novelty warrants rapid publication. Authors should supply with their submission a justification of why the work merits urgent publication as a Communication. Referees will be asked to judge the work on these grounds. Communications are given high visibility within the journal as they are published at the front of an issue. Communications will not normally exceed the length of four printed journal pages, however, exceptions may be made at the Editor's discretion. Full papers based on Communications are encouraged provided that they represent a substantial extension of the original material.

2.4 Comments

These are a medium for the discussion and exchange of scientific opinions, normally concerning material published in PCCP. 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 a Reply, they must be judged by the referees to present new insights and be of interest to the PCCP readership. Comments and Replies will be reviewed in the normal way, but additional referees will be consulted if there is an unresolved disagreement between correspondents, or where there is doubt as to the significance of the Comment or Reply. 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.