Energy Advances
Improving All-Solid-State Batteries through Atomistic Modelling
Submissions open:
Now open for submission
Deadline:
12 January 2025
Guest Editor(s):
(University of Warwick), (University of Bayreuth), (Loughborough University)
In this gold open-access themed collection, we aim to cover the latest developments at the forefront of this field, with a focus on the discovery and advancement of materials for all-solid-state batteries through the use of atomistic modelling methods.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Discovery of novel materials for use as electrodes, solid electrolytes, or protective layers.
- Analysis of microscopic properties of materials and their interfaces to better understand their use in Li/Na/K/Mg-ion all-solid-state battery applications.
- Computational techniques can vary widely from electronic structure theory and density functional theory to machine-learned and empirical interatomic potentials, combined with crystal structure predictions.
- Collaborative work between computational researchers and experimentalists is welcomed.
New Principal Investigators: A spotlight on recent appointees
Submissions open:
Now open for submission
Deadline:
Ongoing
Guest Editor(s):
N/A
We are delighted to announce a special collection designed to feature members of our community who are just starting out as principal investigators.
Did you start your principal investigator position within the last three years?*
We know it can be tough setting up a new lab, training students for the first time, teaching undergraduates, as well as growing your own profile in the community.
We want to help. If you submit to this collection, and if your paper is accepted, we will offer extra promotion and visibility through our journal networks to raise your profile with an interview-style blog discussing your vision for your group’s research.
EES Catalysis
Understanding and new approaches to create synergy between catalysis and plasma
Submissions open:
Now open for submissions
Deadline:
30 January 2025
Guest Editor(s):
(University of Messina)
(University of Antwerp)
(University of Notre Dame)
In this gold open-access themed collection, we aim to cover the latest developments at the forefront of this field, with a focus on emerging catalysts and methods. Plasma catalysis aims to combine plasma's high reactivity with catalysts' selectivity, thus achieving the best of both worlds. However, the identification of how to realise a synergic interaction is still elusive. Fundamental and applied contributions are welcome.
The themed collection aims to define the state, gaps, and perspectives, including new unexplored directions, a crucial challenge of plasma catalysis. This will move us to the next step in applying this technology to open new avenues for carbon-free, sustainable energy and chemistry production.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- discuss and identify new and recent trends in plasma catalysis in terms of advances in understanding the mechanism, including from a modelling perspective.
- new experimental approaches, including the development of novel plasma reactors.
- enhancing the synergy between plasma and catalysis.
Green 91AV
Green and Sustainable Batteries Themed Collection
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
31 March 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Magda Titirici (Imperial College London), Rebeca Marcilla (IMDEA Energy Institute), Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo (Institute of Carboquimica ICB-CSIC) and Theresa Schoetz (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
This themed collection will showcase cutting-edge research, advancements, and remaining challenges in sustainable batteries that balance performance, cost and environmental sustainability. The collection aims to uncover new research opportunities in this field by featuring multidisciplinary research on alternative battery chemistries, sustainable electrolytes, sustainability assessment (including assessing materials criticality and its environmental impact), battery recycling, electrodes manufacturing for improved performance, understanding and preventing degradation and improving lifetime, design for disassembly and techno-economic assessment among other topics closely fitting to the sustainable battery topic.
Make polymers sustainable, why and how?
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
31 May 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Maiyong Zhu (Jiangsu University), Gerard Lligadas (Universitat Rovira i Virgili), Fiona L. Hatton (Loughborough University), Garret Miyake (Colorado State University), and Antoine Buchard (University of York)
It is estimated that more than 300 million tons of synthetic polymeric materials are being produced every year and most are made from petroleum-based feedstocks. As the global consumption of polymers increases each year, this puts an unsustainable demand on our finite and non-renewable fossil fuel resources. In addition, the ever-growing quantity of polymers becoming waste at the end of their life presents serious environmental problems due to their persistence and potential ecotoxicity. This themed collection will showcase cutting-edge research and advancements in developing more sustainable methods to tackle these global challenges.
Green 91AV Emerging Investigators Series
Submissions open:
Open for nominations now
Deadline:
Ongoing
Guest Editor(s):
N/A
Green 91AV is proud to present its Emerging Investigator Series, showcasing the work being conducted by Emerging Investigators. This collection aims to highlight the excellent research being carried out by researchers in the early stages of their independent careers from across the breadth of green chemistry.
Industrial 91AV & Materials
Turning Emissions to Solutions: Innovations in CO2 Capture, Conversion, and Utilization
Submissions open:
Now open for submissions
Deadline:
28 February 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Prof. Chunshan Song (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)
Prof. Atsushi Urakawa (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands)
Prof. De Chen (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway)
Prof. Christoph Mueller (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)
Prof. Angela Dibenedetto (University of Bari, Italy)
CO2 capture, conversion, and utilization (CCU) are essential components in the future of carbon management, addressing one of the most urgent societal challenges: mitigating climate change. These processes are enabled by the development of advanced sorbent and catalyst materials, often combined with innovative reactor designs and novel process concepts that enhance efficiency and scalability.
This special issue highlights cutting-edge research and expert perspectives on the current status, future directions, and recent breakthroughs in CCU technologies. By showcasing advancements in material science, process engineering, and industrial applications, this collection provides a comprehensive overview of how these innovations are shaping the future of carbon management strategies.
Journal of Materials 91AV A
Engineering soft materials for healthcare, energy and environment
Submissions open:
1 September 2024
Deadline:
31 March 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Kamlendra Awasthi (MNIT Jaipur, India),
Eduard Llobet Valero (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain),
Anjali Awasthi (University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India),
Fatima Ezahra (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain)
This collection, spanning the Journal of Materials 91AV A, Journal of Materials 91AV B, Biomaterials Science, and Molecular Systems Design & Engineering, focuses on the engineering of soft materials for advanced science and technology in healthcare, energy, and the environment, aiming to create a better world for future generations. The scope of this collection also aligns with 6th International Conference on Soft Materials to be held at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain from November 17-20, 2024.
Nanogenerators
Submissions open:
3 September 2024
Deadline:
10 January 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Professor Zhong Lin Wang (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA)
Professor Ya Yang (Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)
Professor Pooi See Lee (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Ever since the first nanogenerator was invented by Wang’s group in 2005, several important fields have been evolved. Through continuous development over the years, various kinds of nanogenerators have been introduced based on their source of energy for harvesting: mechanical energy (triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators), and thermal energy (pyroelectric and thermoelectric nanogenerators). Besides, different functional materials with various properties can be used in the hybridizing and coupling of different nanogenerators for harvesting different energies simultaneously. By deploying many performance-enhancing techniques, nanogenerators can supply power to portable electronics and have greater potential for a revolution in the IoT, AI, and HMI sectors. This Journal of Materials 91AV A and Nanoscale cross-journal collection will highlight key developments driving this field forward.
Molecular Photoswitches for Energy storage
Submissions open:
26 January 2024
Deadline:
13 December 2024
Guest Editor(s):
Prof. Rachel Evans (University of Cambridge)
Prof. Grace Han (Brandeis University)
Prof. Tao Li (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
Prof. Dr. Hermann A. Wegner (Justus-Liebig Universität)
The necessity to harvest and store energy is one of the greatest challenges of today. The sun represents in this respect the ultimate energy source on earth. The utilization of light as energy input is therefore highly desirable. Molecular photoswitches do exactly that, as they can be switched between two states. Such processes have great potential in energy storage. This special issue celebrates results in all areas covering molecular photoswitches in the broadest sense for energy storage:
Appropriate topics include, but are not limited to:
- Design, synthesis and characterization of photoswitches
- Application of photoswitches for energy storage, such as molecular solar thermal energy storage systems
- Incorporation of photoswitches in devices for energy storage
- Investigation of diverse triggering methods for energy release (e.g. electro-catalysis)
- Phase transitions and latent heat storage-release induced by the photoswitching processes
- Theoretical screening of photoswitch candidates for improved energy storage
MSDE
MSDE Emerging Investigators Series
Submissions open:
1 January 2022
Deadline:
Ongoing
Guest Editor(s):
N/A
MSDE is proud to present its Emerging Investigators Series. This collection gathers the very best work from scientists in the early stages of their independent careers. It highlights up-and-coming scientists in the early stages of their independent careers in recognition of their potential to influence future directions in the field of molecular engineering.
Engineering soft materials for healthcare, energy and environment
Submissions open:
1 September 2024
Deadline:
31 March 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Kamlendra Awasthi (MNIT Jaipur, India),
Eduard Llobet Valero (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain),
Anjali Awasthi (University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India),
Fatima Ezahra (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain)
This collection, spanning the Journal of Materials 91AV A, Journal of Materials 91AV B, Biomaterials Science, and Molecular Systems Design & Engineering, focuses on the engineering of soft materials for advanced science and technology in healthcare, energy, and the environment, aiming to create a better world for future generations. The scope of this collection also aligns with 6th International Conference on Soft Materials to be held at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain from November 17-20, 2024.
RSC Sustainability
Sustainable Laboratories
Submissions open:
20 October 2022
Deadline:
Ongoing
Guest Editor(s):
N/A
Our new Sustainable Laboratories report shines a spotlight on some of the complexities associated with the need to make research more environmentally sustainable, and to coincide with the launch of this report RSC Sustainability is welcoming papers, reviews, and perspectives, which address various approaches to reduce the environmental impact of research and make laboratories more sustainable.
Green and Sustainable Batteries Themed Collection
Submissions open:
Now open for submission
Deadline:
31 March 2025
Guest Editor(s):
(Imperial College London), (IMDEA Energy Institute), (Institute of Carboquimica ICB-CSIC) and (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
This themed collection will showcase cutting-edge research, advancements, and remaining challenges in sustainable batteries that balance performance, cost and environmental sustainability. The collection aims to uncover new research opportunities in this field by featuring multidisciplinary research on alternative battery chemistries, sustainable electrolytes, sustainability assessment (including assessing materials criticality and its environmental impact), battery recycling, electrodes manufacturing for improved performance, understanding and preventing degradation and improving lifetime, design for disassembly and techno-economic assessment among other topics closely fitting to the sustainable battery topic.
Defossilising Chemical Industries
Submissions open:
Now open for submissions
Deadline:
31 January 2025
Guest Editor(s):
(Imperial College London, UK)
(University of Bath, UK)
Chemical industries touch almost every aspect of society. They produce everything from fuels and polymers to everyday consumer products such as cosmetics and household cleaning products. Currently, many of these vital products are made using feedstocks derived from fossil sources which, in addition to being finite, also release large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.
For chemical industries to be sustainable in the long term in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goals 9, 12, and 13, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production and Climate Action, respectively), they must avoid using raw materials from fossil sources and find alternative feedstocks.
This themed collection aims to be a platform for research that will make this a reality. If you have work that may be suitable, email us to enquire now.
Electrocatalysis for Energy Conversion Reactions
Submissions open:
Now open for submission
Deadline:
14 May 2025
Guest Editor(s):
(Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China)
(Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Germany)
(Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA)
Defossilising and decarbonising the energy industry will be an important step in securing a sustainable future. Converting chemical energy to more usable forms is one approach that offers a sustainable alternative.
Electrocatalysis offers a method of overcoming the activation barriers of desired reactions and can make them economically viable at scales to make a difference to global climate change targets. In this way, it will be possible to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).
This themed collection aims to be a venue for work seeking to further these goals. If you have work that might be suitable, email us to enquire now.
Industrial Perspectives
Submissions open:
Now open for submission
Deadline:
15 August 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Gary Walker (Lubrizol, UK)
Paul Price (Unilever, UK)
Lei Wang (Westlake University, China)
Chemical industries have a major role to play in the drive towards a sustainable future. The products manufactured by chemical industries touch all aspects of society, and many of the changes required to achieve sustainability will have a profound impact on how chemical companies operate. Such changes will include regulatory developments from regional and central governments, and new scientific innovations from the laboratories of the companies themselves.
To highlight this, RSC Sustainability is inviting selected researchers working in industry to contribute to a themed collection titled Industrial Perspectives. This collection will serve as a platform to showcase the sustainability agenda of different companies operating in various sectors of the chemical industry and provide companies with an opportunity to elaborate on their Green and Sustainable 91AV strategies. We are inviting researchers from all sectors of industry, from pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals, from consumer products to commodity chemicals, to share the sustainability vision for their company and for the future of their industry. If you would be interested in contributing to this collection, email us to enquire now.
Sustainable Energy & Fuels
Metal-Free Photo/electrocatalysts for Sustainable Energy Solutions
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
20 December 2024
Guest Editor(s):
Menny Shalom (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel), Sebastian Sprick (University of Strathclyde, UK) and Xinchen Wang (Fuzhou University, China)
This Sustainable Energy & Fuels themed collection, guest edited by Menny Shalom, Sebastian Sprick, and Xinchen Wang, will showcase metal-free photo- and electrocatalytic materials for sustainable energy applications.
Photo- and electrocatalysis are promising research areas for sustainable energy applications and chemicals production. Metal-free photo- and electrocatalysts for energy conversion potentially offer a low-cost and efficient solution. These materials include carbon nitrides, boron carbon nitrides, triazine-based frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, conjugated materials as well as composites and biohybrid systems. This collection aims to highlight the unique properties of metal-free photo- and electrocatalysts and their important energy applications such as photocatalytic water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, hydrogen peroxide production and organic transformation reactions.
Green and Sustainable Batteries Themed Collection
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
31 March 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Magda Titirici (Imperial College London), Rebeca Marcilla (IMDEA Energy Institute), Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo (Institute of Carboquimica ICB-CSIC) and Theresa Schoetz (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).
This themed collection will showcase cutting-edge research, advancements, and remaining challenges in sustainable batteries that balance performance, cost and environmental sustainability. The collection aims to uncover new research opportunities in this field by featuring multidisciplinary research on alternative battery chemistries, sustainable electrolytes, sustainability assessment (including assessing materials criticality and its environmental impact), battery recycling, electrodes manufacturing for improved performance, understanding and preventing degradation and improving lifetime, design for disassembly and techno-economic assessment among other topics closely fitting to the sustainable battery topic.
Next-generation battery technologies beyond lithium
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
30 April 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Chunmei Ban (University of Colorado Boulder, USA), Guillermo Alvarez Ferrero (Humboldt University, Germany), Marta Sevilla (Instituto Nacional del Carbón – CSIC, Spain) and Feixiang Wu (Central South University, China)
This Sustainable Energy & Fuels themed collection, guest edited by Chunmei Ban, Guillermo Alvarez Ferrero, Marta Sevilla and Feixiang Wu, will highlight alternatives to lithium-based battery designs and technologies.
Lithium-ion based batteries are an essential part of the world’s energy infrastructure, however lithium-based energy storage systems have challenges in terms of safety, global demand for lithium, energy intensive production and ease of recycling. This collection aims to highlight alternative materials, electrolytes and technologies to develop the next generation of non-lithium batteries
Topics in scope for this collection include, but are not limited to, alternative alkali and alkali-earth metal batteries (including metal-ion, metal-air and sulfur-based systems), all solid-state batteries, multivalent batteries, and other technologies for non-lithium ion energy storage (e.g., redox flow batteries or dual-ion batteries). We especially value studies that prioritize sustainability as a central focus and encourage life cycle assessment studies.
Sustainable Energy & Fuels Emerging Investigators Series
Submissions open:
1 July 2022
Deadline:
Ongoing
Guest Editor(s):
N/A (these ongoing series do not have Guest Editors)
Sustainable Energy & Fuels is delighted to announce our Emerging Investigators Series, highlighting the very best work from researchers in the early stages of their independent careers. The collection showcases research from early career energy scientists who are working towards making future energy technologies more sustainable, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the scope of Sustainable Energy & Fuels.
Sustainable Food Technology
AI in Food Production
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
31 March 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Sigfredo Fuentes (University of Melbourne, Australia; ORCID ), Claudia Gonzalez Viejo (University of Melbourne, Australia; ORCID ), Eden Tongson (University of Melbourne, Australia; ORCID ), Sylvio Barbon Junior (University of Trieste, Italy; ORCID )
The integration of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), within the food and beverage industries has garnered significant attention in recent years. This embrace of computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, sensor arrays, robotics, biometrics, and remote sensing has ushered in a new era of efficiency and innovation. However, alongside these advancements, the imperative of sustainability has emerged as a crucial consideration.
Advances in Non-Thermal Food Processing
Submissions open:
Open for submissions now
Deadline:
1 April 2025
Guest Editor(s):
Yi Song (Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China, China), Jun-Hu Cheng (South China University of Technology, China), Tian Ding (Zhejiang University, China)
Authors are welcome to submit original research articles. The manuscript should be prepared according to our article guidelines and submitted via our online system.
All manuscripts will be subject to the usual initial assessment and peer review processes as necessary, and inclusion in the Collection will be at the discretion of the Guest Editors. Please indicate in your submission that you are submitting to this Collection and inform the Editorial Office by email.
Following our peer-review process, we will publish accepted articles online in a citeable form as soon as they are ready, with compilation and promotion of the complete collection in mid-2025.
Sustainable Food Technology is a gold open access journal focused on cutting-edge strategies for food production that aim to provide quality and safe foods in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way. We are covering all article processing charges (APCs) until mid-2025, so it is currently free to publish in this journal.
*2023 Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate Analytics, 2024)
**The median time from submission to first decision including manuscripts rejected without peer review from the previous calendar year
***The median time from submission to first decision for peer-reviewed manuscripts from the previous calendar year
****CiteScore™ 2023 available at
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