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 Robert Godin (University of British Columbia, Canada) below!
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Dr. Robert Godin established the SolarSpec group (Solar Energy Conversion and Spectroscopy) in 2018 at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The group develops time-resolved spectroscopic tools to better understand carbon-based semiconductors for sustainable energy production, with a healthy dose of physical organic chemistry concepts. Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Robert has fostered an interest in photochemistry since the start of his higher education career. He first got introduced to photochemistry and spectroscopy techniques working with Prof. Tito Scaiano during his B.Sc. at the University of Ottawa. He continued to learn advanced optical techniques with Prof. Gonzalo Cosa during his Ph.D. on single molecule spectroscopy at McGill University. Robert then completed a FRQNT-funded postdoctoral stint from 2015 to 2018 with Prof. James Durrant at Imperial College London, UK, to fully enter the field of solar energy conversion.
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What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?
It’s a go-to place for concise and timely reports!
Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?
I believe that there needs to be renewed efforts to reach youths and pass on the importance of the chemical sciences and research, and how fun it can be! Key advances are driven by curiosity, and I’ve found chemistry to be an amazing field to let my creativity loose. There are increasing funding pressures and a desire for immediate results that dampens this creativity. Doubling efforts to reach youths with recent ways to communicate with them, engage with them, is needed to maintain a healthy state of chemical sciences.
Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?
In this publication we describe the different methods of modifying the surface properties of carbon nitride, an emerging organic photocatalyst, and their impact on photocatalytic systems. We focus on energy applications, like H2 production, and environmental applications, mainly arsenic water remediation. The surface is key for interfacial charge transfer and/or adsorption of relevant species, making its modification critical to developing optimized photocatalysts.
In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?
This paper sets the stage for a more diverse view of modifying the surface of carbon nitrides. While there are likely complex convolution effects, I believe that conceptually separating bulk modifications (e.g., to improve charge transport) and surface modifications (e.g., to improve interfacial charge transfer and reactivity) will lead to new synthetic pathways and better materials.
Be sure to read Robert’s full Highlight, “Surface properties of carbon nitride materials used in photocatalytic systems for energy and environmental applications” to learn more!
