RSC Publishing Blog

Last year marked the benzene molecule’s 200th anniversary since Michael Faraday’s seminal discovery. Benzene is an iconic and ubiquitous molecule in chemistry – one that has profoundly shaped the modern world. Read the themed collection now.

Guest edited by Ben Feringa (University of Groningen) and Nazario Martin (University Complutense of Madrid, and IMDEA-Nanoscience), this collection takes a broad perspective on carbon-based systems, for both fundamental and applied research, that can be regarded as benzene’s direct heirs. The scope of the collection focused on the concepts of aromaticity and antiaromaticity, as well as on molecular and material systems predominantly composed of carbon. This includes Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), nanographenes derived from top-down synthesis, molecular nanographenes from bottom-up synthesis, graphene and its derivatives (graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide), as well as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and benzene-based molecular machines. Additionally, the scope extends to (anti)aromatic compounds synthesized via on-surface methodologies.

Editorial

Benzene at 200: from a simple ring to a universe of fused aromatic carbon (open access) Nazario Martín, Ben L. Feringa, Chem. Sci., 2026, 17, 12167–12168.

Reviews

Communications

We are delighted to introduce you to our Editors-in-Chief of the two new, recently announced Royal Society of Chemistry journals: EES Batteries and EES Solar, part of the EES family journals.

Dr Qiang Zhang is a full professor in the Chemical Engineering Department, Tsinghua University, China. His group mainly focuses on advanced energy chemistry and energy materials, including dendrite-free lithium metal anodes, lithium sulfur batteries, electrolytes, solid state batteries, and energy electrocatalysis. Find out more here and on Dr Zhang’s group webpage here. You can also read some of Dr Zhang’s recent research below:

A brief history of zinc–air batteries: 140 years of epic adventures
Jia-Ning Liu, Chang-Xin Zhao, Juan Wang, Ding Ren, Bo-Quan Li and Qiang Zhang
Energy Environ. Sci., 2022,15, 4542-4553.

A data-driven bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst with a record-breaking ΔE = 0.57 V for ampere-hour-scale zinc-air batteries
Jia-Ning Liu, Chang-Xin Zhao, Juan Wang, Xuan-Qi Fang, Chen-Xi Bi, Bo-Quan Li, Qiang Zhang
Joule, 2024, 8, 1804-1819.

Prof. Michael Saliba is a full professor and the director of the Institute for Photovoltaics (ipv) at the University of Stuttgart. He holds a dual appointment at the Helmholtz Research Center Jülich, Germany. His research focuses on a fundamental understanding of optoelectronic materials with an emphasis on emerging perovskites for a sustainable energy future. Find out more here and read some of Professor Saliba’s recent research below:

All-perovskite tandem solar cells: from fundamentals to technological progress
Jaekeun Lim, Nam-Gyu Park, Sang Il Seok and Michael Saliba
Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, 17, 4390-4425.

Overcoming ionic migration in perovskite solar cells through alkali metals
Clara A. Aranda, Agustin O. Alvarez, Vladimir S. Chivrony, Chittaranjan Das, Monika Rai, Michael Saliba
Joule, 2024, 8, 241-254.

EES Batteries and EES Solar open for submissions later this year, sign up for email alerts below to be one of the first to find out news about the journals.

Exceptional research in batteries, energy storage, solar energy and photovoltaics now has a dedicated home with the Royal Society of Chemistry.

EES Batteries and EES Solar are part of the EES journal family, which is known for delivering outstanding publications. This is where progress begins.

“I am delighted to be the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of EES Batteries and intend for this journal to be established as a cornerstone of innovation, and a beacon for sustainable energy solutions that actively shape the future of energy technologies globally.” Qiang Zhang – EES Batteries	“I am driven to advance the global transition to a sustainable energy future, and to shape EES Solar into a premier platform to exchange ideas and drive the progression of solar research.” Michael Saliba – EES Solar

Placing pharmaceutics at the forefront of health solutions

RSC Pharmaceutics will be a place for you to explore and publish crucial research in pharmaceutics. This journal will harness the power of chemistry and related disciplines to build a healthier world for all. You can expect compelling publications that cover emerging technologies and techniques in pharmaceutics, including drug delivery, precision medicine and enhanced drug targeting. Find out more on our webpage.

Introducing our editor-in-chief

There are many exciting updates to come, including details on our editorial board and scope. Sign up for alerts to hear more.