ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.
As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.
To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.
Check out our interview with Professor Mine Ince (Tarsus University, Turkey) below!
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Mine Ince studied Chemistry at the Celal Bayar University in Turkey. In 2006, she completed her master’s thesis “The synthesis of phthalocyanine derivatives for their application as photocatalyst” at Ege University Solar Energy Institute-İzmir-Turkey. Aiming to work in the field of materials science and international environment, with a strong accent on organic photovoltaics, Mine Ince enrolled in the PhD Program in Organic Chemistry at Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM) in 2008 and joined the group of Prof. Tomas Torres as a PhD student. She received her second Master’s Degree in Nanoscience and Molecular Nanotechnology from UAM in 2010, with the corresponding solid training in cutting-edge inter- and multidisciplinary science, merging chemistry, physics and engineering. She carried out her PhD Thesis, under Prof. Tomas Torres financed by a prestigious fellowship for doctoral students (FPI) of the Community of Madrid and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Scholarship from the European Commission. Mine Ince obtained her PhD degree in 2012 “Subphthalocyanines, Phthalocyanines and Azulenocyanines: Yellow, red-and Near-Ir-Absorbing dyes for Molecular Photovoltaics ” with the degree certificate “cum laude”. During the development of this thesis, predoctoral stays were carried out at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland, in the group of Prof. Michael Grätzel and Prof. Md. K. Nazeeruddin. She was also involved in the preparation of covalent and/or supramolecular donor-acceptor photoactive complexes for studying processes of photoinduced electronic transfer in collaboration with Prof. Dirk. M. Guldi. In addition to this, the Mine Ince showed exceptional international mobility for performing research stays in her doctoral period, receiving on-site training in related areas in the labs of Prof. Osuka at Kyoto University (Japan), Prof. Joaquin Barbera (Spain), Prof. Alan Rowan (The Netherlands). Her PhD thesis was awarded the NanoMatMol Prize 2012 for best PhD thesis in Molecular Materials by the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry.
Afterwards, she joined the group of Prof. Michael Grätzel at EPFL as a postdoctoral researcher (2013), where her efforts focused on the progress of Pc/SubPc based DSSCs. In 2014, she joined the Energy Systems Engineering Department at Mersin University as Assistant Professor. In April 2016, she got the position of Associate Professor. She is currently working as a full Prof. at Tarsus University, developing independent research and leading a small research team working mainly in the field of molecular photovoltaics. Ince’s research and publications have focused on the synthesis of new phthalocyanine/subphthalocyanine derivatives that can absorb in different regions of the solar emission spectrum, for application in organic solar cells and phthalocyanine-based donor-acceptor molecular materials. Her research group has developed a big synthetic effort, particularly on the synthesis of a series of phthalocyanine/subphthalocyanine derivatives as donors for dye-sensitized solar cells, achieving remarkable progress in the comprehension of the relationship between the molecular structure and photovoltaic performance. She is also dealing with the preparation of Pc/SubPc-based functional materials for biological applications and nanomedicine. Her research interests also involve the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 and H2 production by using Pc derivatives, as well as the carbon nanostructure/Pc hybrid systems as a molecular catalyst She has participated in many national and international projects as a principal researcher funded by public bodies (TUBİTAK and European Union). Her publications accumulate 2673 citations providing an h-index of 26. She has supervised 5 Master’s theses, as well as 3 Ph.D. theses, and is currently supervising 3 ongoing Ph.D. theses. In 2016, she was awarded the National UNESCO-L’Oréal Award for Women in Science. In 2018, she received the Turkish Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Outstanding Achievement Award (TUBA-GEBIP). In 2019, she was honored with the Research Encouragement Award by the Prof. Mustafa Parlar Education and Research Foundation. In 2022, Prof. Ince was awarded “The Belt and Road Scholarship” by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. |
What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?
One of my favorite aspects of ChemComm is its quick response time, which ensures that research is reviewed and published efficiently. The fair evaluation process adds to its appeal, providing a balanced and rigorous review while maintaining a smooth workflow. Additionally, the journal’s concise format, with short, impactful pages, makes it highly accessible and attractive for both authors and readers. These qualities combined make ChemComm a standout platform for publishing high-quality research.
In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?
ChemComm stands out in the field for several reasons. Its fast response time is a significant advantage, allowing authors to quickly share their findings with the scientific community. The fair and thorough evaluation process ensures that the work published is of high quality, while maintaining an efficient review cycle. Additionally, ChemComm’s historically strong Impact Factor (IF) highlights its influence and the value of the research it publishes. These attributes make it a highly favorable choice for researchers looking to publish cutting-edge work in chemistry.
How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?
It’s difficult to make a broad generalization about the peer review process, as each experience can vary. However, I can confidently say that the editorial team at ChemComm is outstanding. They provide fair evaluations and respond quickly, all while being encouraging and polite in their communication. This professionalism and efficiency create a positive and supportive environment for authors throughout the submission process.
Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?
I believe that personal contact is a more effective way to engage with authors than general public mailings. Direct invitations create a stronger connection and make the engagement feel more meaningful. By continuing to foster personalized communication and offering tailored opportunities for collaboration, ChemComm can further support and inspire future generations of scientists. These personal interactions help build lasting relationships and encourage more active participation in the journal’s community.
Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?
In my recent ChemComm publication, I focused on the preparation of hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and their application in perovskite solar cells. The study highlights how these newly developed HTMs improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, contributing to advancements in the field of solar energy conversion. This work demonstrates the potential of novel materials to enhance the performance of next-generation photovoltaic devices.
In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?
In my opinion, the next steps for advancing perovskite solar cells should focus on improving efficiency and stability through material engineering. This includes developing low-cost, high-performance hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and electron-transporting materials (ETMs). Additionally, research could explore the use of passivating agents to heal structural defects in perovskite materials, which could significantly enhance both the efficiency and stability of the solar cells. By addressing these areas, we can pave the way for more robust and commercially viable perovskite solar technologies.
Be sure to read Prof Ince’s full article, “Asymmetric phthalocyanine-based hole-transporting materials: evaluating the role of heterocyclic units and PMMA additive” to learn more!
