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 Linjuan Zhang (Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, China) below!
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Linjuan Zhang is a professor of Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Beihang University in 2007, a Ph.D. degree from Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2012, and worked as a visiting scholar in SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University in 2017. Her main research interests include electrocatalysis, in situ electrochemical X-ray absorption spectrometry and its applications.
Website：https://www.x-mol.com/groups/hydrogen_energy |
What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?
My favorite aspect of ChemComm is its ability to rapidly showcase our research ideas and findings. This not only allows researchers to promptly share their research insights but also encourages the introduction of new perspectives and directions within the field. Through the quick publication procedure, ChemComm plays a pivotal role in advancing frontier science, fostering collaboration, and stimulating further research initiatives.
How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?
The peer review process at ChemComm is characterized by its rigor and efficiency, ensuring that published research meets high academic standards. Submissions undergo thorough evaluations by experts in the field, who provide constructive feedback aimed at enhancing the quality of the work. Throughout this process, my interactions with the editorial team have been exceptionally positive. They are responsive, supportive, and dedicated to facilitating a smooth publication experience.
Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?
In our recent published work in ChemComm, we present an efficient Cu/PTFE electrode for the reduction of CO2 to ethylene. Uniformly dispersed nano-sized copper particles were deposited onto a PTFE substrate using ion sputtering. Notably, the surface *OH on the electrode was elegantly modulated by sputtering in a moist Ar atmosphere. The prepared electrode, with increased surface *OH coverage, achieved a FEC2H4 over 50% at an exceptionally low potential of -246 mV, with an optimal ethylene Faradaic efficiency of 60.3%. Through in situ Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations, it has been elucidated that the surface *OH species facilitates both the activation of CO2 and the C-C coupling steps. This work demonstrates a novel strategy for the modification of Cu-based catalysts for low-potential CO2RR to ethylene with high activity and selectivity. We believe our findings will enhance the understanding of CO2 electroreduction mechanisms and contribute valuable insights for the efficient design of catalysts.
Be sure to read Linjuan’s full communication, “Hydroxylation boosted low-overpotential CO2 reduction to ethylene for a Cu/PTFE electrode” to learn more!
