Chemical Communications Blog

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 Shiqiang Wang (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) of A*STAR, Singapore) below!​​​

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Dr. Shiqiang Wang (MRSC) is a Scientist at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) of A*STAR Singapore, with over a decade of experience in crystal engineering, coordination chemistry, and metal-organic materials. Before joining IMRE, he worked as a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore. He completed his PhD in 2020 and continued as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Limerick, Ireland. He has published over 40 scientific papers and 2 international patents (h index = 20). His research excellence has been recognised with several awards, including the European Crystallographic Association (ECA) “Young Scientist” Award (2018), the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) “Young Scientist” Award (2019), the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2020), the RSC “Early Career Researcher” Bursary (2024) and Researcher Development and Travel Grant (2024). In 2023, Dr. Wang was interviewed by the esteemed RSC Journal ChemComm. He was also invited to attend the 11th Global Young Scientist Summit (GYSS) in 2024, organized by the NRF Singapore. Recently, he was awarded the MTC Young Individual Research Grant (YIRG), which supports his independent research. You can reach out to Shiqiang on Twitter: @ShiQiang_SQ, WeChat: sqwang0123, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sqwangchem or his personal website: https://sqwangchem.com/.

How have you seen ChemComm evolve over the years and what aspects do you find most noteworthy?

ChemComm has made significant progress over the years, particularly in advancing open access and research transparency. Its special issues, such as Milestones – First Independent Articles and thematic collections on emerging fields, spotlight new trends, early-career researchers, and underrepresented voices in science.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

Its emphasis on concise (4-page), high-impact research that covers diverse areas of chemistry while remaining accessible to a broad audience.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

ChemComm stands out for its concise format and rapid publication (100 issues annually).

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

The peer review process at ChemComm is rigorous yet efficient, ensuring high-quality publications while maintaining a swift timeline. The editorial team is highly professional and supportive, offering clear communication and guidance throughout the submission and review process.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

ChemComm could further support future scientists by expanding initiatives like early-career editorial boards and mentorship programs. Providing more opportunities for young researchers to act as guest editors or reviewers would offer valuable experience.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Water is ubiquitous on Earth as atmospheric water vapor, however, its uneven geographical distribution affects crucial societal needs, such as freshwater availability and air dehumidification. Porous materials hold great promise for water sorption applications. However, it is crucial to evaluate the performance of these materials across the full range of RH levels, including water uptake, sorption kinetics, recyclability, regeneration temperature, in addition to synthesis costs.

In this work (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05990E), we present the water sorption properties of the zeolitic metal azolate framework [Zn(mtz)₂]_n (MAF-7), which exhibits distinctive stepped water sorption isotherms over a wide temperature range (15 – 45 °C). Its water sorption performance was assessed in terms of water uptake, sorption kinetics, recyclability, and regeneration temperature. Compared to a variety of commercial desiccants and MOF materials, MAF-7 demonstrates superior or comparable water sorption performance particularly in terms of water deliverability between 60 – 0 % RH. This makes it a promising candidate for water sorption-based applications, such as indoor humidity control.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

Based on the findings in this paper, the next steps for research could involve developing enhanced water sorption materials, exploring multi-component sorbents, and integrating these with energy-efficient systems.

Be sure to read Shiqiang’s full communication, “Water sorption performance of the zeolitic metal azolate framework MAF-7” to learn more!

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.

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!

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 Theocharis C. Stamatatos (University of Patras, Greece) below!​​​

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Dr. Theocharis C. Stamatatos is Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Chemistry Department of the University of Patras. He received his B.Sc. degree of Chemistry in 2003 and his Ph.D. diploma in 2006 from the Chemistry Department of the University of Patras. During the period 2006-2008, he carried out postdoctoral research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Florida (Gainesville, USA), while from 2009-2012 he has been a Temporary Lecturer (PD 407/80) at the Chemistry and Materials Science Departments of the University of Patras. From 2012 to 2019, he has been a permanent faculty member (Assistant and Associate Professor) of Molecular Inorganic Chemistry at the Chemistry Department of Brock University (Ontario, Canada). In addition to his postdoctoral and academic career in USA and Canada, respectively, his research experience abroad includes the following: (i) 8 months of research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Cyprus (2004-2005), (ii) 3 months research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Manchester, UK (2005), (iii) 6 months of research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Florida, USA (2005-2006), and (iv) 12 months of research at the Chemistry Department of Mainz University, Germany (2016 & 2018). He is currently: a) Collaborating Teaching Member at the Hellenic Open University (FYE12: General and Inorganic Chemistry), and b) Collaborating Faculty Member at the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas / Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (FORTH/ICE-HT) of Patras.   His research activity as an independent researcher in Greece and Canada has been funded by the: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, NSERC Research Tools and Instruments, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Operational Program “Human Resource Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014-2020”, as well as private sectors. During his career, he has received the following distinctions and awards: “Young Investigator Award”, American Chemical Society 2007, Boston, USA. “A DocMolMag Award” – A European Award on Molecular Magnetism Doctoral Thesis for the best PhD thesis in Molecular Magnetism and related fields, Florence, Italy, 2008. “Emerging Investigators”, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2010 & 2024. “Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence”, Brock University, Canada, 2016-2018. “Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers”, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2015-2018.

How have you seen ChemComm evolve over the years and what aspects do you find most noteworthy?

I have definitely seen ChemComm evolve over the past 10 years fostering the publication of very attractive papers in all disciplines of Chemistry. This is exactly what I find the most noteworthy aspect of this journal… publishing with ChemComm makes your paper visible in the entire chemistry academic community.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

The quality of the published papers, the fast and fair revisions from the selected reviewers and the friendly communication with their editorial members and board.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

For me ChemComm stands out among the best 3 chemistry-oriented journals globally.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

That fits within my answer to question 2. Excellent interaction!!! Great choices of reviewers as academics and leaders in their fields.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

I think that the organization of awards, special issues and distinctions for young investigators are actions which can further support and engage the new generations.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

To speak in common language, in our recent ChemComm paper we have been able to use principles of coordination and organic chemistry to modulate the ligand field environment of the lanthanide ion and prepare a mononuclear, air-stable compound with a massive energy barrier for the magnetization reversal, rendering this species a promising candidate for applications in the fields of memory storage, molecular spintronics and quantum computation.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

Physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, especially the deposition of this molecular compound on functional surfaces, such as various 2-D materials, or its encapsulation in fullerenes, and so on.

Be sure to read Theocharis’s full communication, “Unveiling new [1+1] Schiff-base macrocycles towards high energy-barrier hexagonal bipyramidal Dy(iii) single-molecule magnets” to learn more!

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 Christopher Jones (Queen Mary University of London, UK) below!​​​

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Christopher R. Jones is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. He obtained his PhD in organic chemistry under the supervision of Professor Martin D. Smith (University of Cambridge, 2009). He then moved to the University of Oxford as a Junior Research Fellow to work with Professor Timothy J. Donohoe. He joined QMUL in 2013 as a Ramsay Memorial Research Fellow and in 2015 was awarded an EPSRC Early Career Fellowship. His research interests are based on the development of new synthetic methods, with a particular focus on aryne chemistry and related applications in functional carbon nanomaterial preparation.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

I have always found the peer review process to be efficient and interactions with the editorial team have been professional and productive.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Exploiting the reactivity of aryne intermediates, we have synthesized 1,2-syn-diaminobenzocyclobutenes (BCBs) for the first time. These conformationally rigid systems have potential for a range of different applications in synthesis, catalysis and polymeric materials.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

I am intrigued to use these BCBs as building blocks for the preparation of new polymers, as well as investigating their applications in catalysis. Controlling the absolute stereochemistry of the chiral diamine also represents a key next step.

Be sure to read Christopher’s full communication, “syn-1,2-Diaminobenzocyclobutenes from [2+2] cycloaddition of 2-imidazolones with arynes” to learn more!

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!