Information for Authors of Papers

(Revised May 2016)

CONTENTS (click on the topic)
Journal Scope | Manuscript Types
Manuscript Preparation Manuscript Format Title Authorship Abstract Introduction
Experimental and/or Theoretical Methods Results/Discussion Conclusions Appendices
Acknowledgment/Dedication Supporting Information Paragraph References Tables
Figure Captions Figures Table of Contents (TOC) Image Author Biographies
Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts Using TeX/LaTeX ORCID Data Management and
Reporting of Raw Data
Artwork General Considerations Quality Resolution Size Color Chemical
Structures Schemes Charts Cover Art Web-Enhanced Objects
Assistance with Improving Your Manuscript | Submission of Manuscripts | Ethics |
Editorial Peer Review Process | Just Accepted Manuscripts | ASAP Publication |
Supporting Information
General Information Guidelines for Structural Data Nomenclature | ACS Paragon Plus
Tips | Revisions and Resubmissions | Journal Publishing Agreement | Permissions
and Credit Lines | Proofs and Reprints Proofs ACS Policies for E-prints, ACS
AuthorChoice Open Access, and Reprints
Appendix: Examples of Abstracts

JOURNAL SCOPE
The Journal of Physical Chemistry A/B/C is devoted to reporting new and original experimental
and theoretical basic research of interest to physical chemists, biophysical chemists, and
chemical physicists. Review and Feature Articles, which include extensive discussions on
previously published literature, are by invitation only (please refer to the next section on
Manuscript Types).
An essential criterion for acceptance of research articles in the journal is that they provide new
physical insight. Manuscripts that are essentially reporting data or applications of data are, in
general, not suitable for publication in JPC A/B/C.
JPC A (Isolated Molecules, Clusters, Radicals, and Ions; Environmental Chemistry,
Geochemistry, and Astrochemistry; Theory)
A1
A2
A3
A4

Kinetics and Dynamics

Spectroscopy, Photochemistry, and Excited States
Environmental, Combustion, and Atmospheric Chemistry;
Aerosol Processes, Geochemistry, and Astrochemistry
Molecular Structure, Quantum Chemistry, and General Theory

JPC B (Biophysical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Liquids, and Soft Matter)

B1
B2
B3
B4

Biophysical Chemistry and Biomolecules

Biomaterials, Surfactants, and Membranes
Liquids; Chemical and Dynamical Processes in Solution
Glasses, Colloids, Polymers, and Soft Matter

JPC C (Energy Conversion and Storage, Optical and Electronic Devices, Interfaces,
Nanomaterials, and Hard Matter)
C1
C2
C3
C4

Energy Conversion and Storage; Energy and Charge Transport

Surfaces, Interfaces, Porous Materials, and Catalysis
Plasmonics, Optical Materials, and Hard Matter
Physical Processes in Nanomaterials and Nanostructures

Guidelines for Nanomaterial Papers

To be appropriate for publication in JPC A/B/C, nanomaterial papers should demonstrate an
improved understanding of a physical process. Papers that emphasize nanomaterial synthesis and
characterization are not appropriate for the Journal.

Guidelines for Theory Papers

To be appropriate for publication in JPC A/B/C, theory papers must satisfy at least one of the
following criteria:
1. provide significant new physical insight into an experimentally relevant system or
process
2. present a new theoretical or computational methodology of general interest

MANUSCRIPT TYPES
Note that all Letters or Communications should be
submitted to The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.
Articles should report original research having significant new physical insight that is expected
to have a definable impact on the advancement of science, technology, and the field of physical
chemistry. Manuscripts should cover the research with thoroughness and clarity but should be as
concise as possible. Articles are scheduled for publication in the order of acceptance within
limitations of available space. A table of contents (TOC) graphic is required for use in the Web
edition of the journal.
Feature Articles are usually published by invitation. However, authors in important and active
research fields of interest to physical chemists are encouraged to propose such articles.
Two-page proposals should be sent to the Deputy Editors of the corresponding journal section
for consideration. Contact information for the Deputy Editors can be found on the masthead of
each journal section.
For Feature Article submissions, the author should provide a clear, concise, and critical status
report of the field as an introduction to the article. The authors own contribution and its
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relationship to other work in the field should constitute the main body of the article.
Controversies, if they exist, should also be outlined. Possible future directions and the
significance of the research area to the field of physical chemistry should be pointed out. Feature
Articles are limited to ~8 printed pages (equivalent to ~40 pages of double-space-typed text with
figures, tables, references). A brief biography for each author of the Feature Article must be
included. Photograph(s) may also be included with the biography. A TOC graphic is required for
use in the Web edition of the journal.
Review Articles are strictly reviews of active and rapidly changing fields with little or no new
data reported. They are ~8 pages long (~40 typed pages). Authors are encouraged to submit twopage proposals to the Deputy Editor of the corresponding journal section for consideration. A
brief biography for each author of the Review Article must be included. Photograph(s) may also
be included with the biography. A TOC graphic is required for use in the Web edition of the
journal.
Mini-Review Articles are short reviews that focus on a specific area. They are ~4 pages long
(~20 typed pages). Authors must submit a proposal to the Deputy Editor of the corresponding
journal section for consideration. A TOC graphic is required for use in the Web edition of the
journal.
Viewpoints are typically 12 journal page editorial content written by experts in the field who
can provide insight and commentary on topics of broad interest for the community. Topics range
from opinions about experimental or theoretical methods, assessment of policy issues or
educational topics, and information about past meetings. Interested authors should contact the
Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editors.
Comments are significant remarks on work previously published (usually in JPC A/B/C/Letters)
and are restricted to approximately one page (1000 words or equivalent) including tables,
figures, and text. There is no abstract. Comments are subject to critical review. If Comments are
concerned with the work of other authors, the Editors will generally permit those authors to reply
if approved by the Reviewers. It is essential that the discussion focus on scientific issues in both
the Comment and the Reply.
Additions and Corrections may be used to address important issues or correct errors and
omissions of consequence that arise after publication of an article. Additions and Corrections
may be requested by the author(s) or initiated by the Editor after discussions with the
corresponding author. Readers who detect errors of consequence in the work of others should
contact the corresponding author of that work. All Additions and Corrections are subject to
approval by the Editor, and minor corrections and additions will not be published. Additions and
Corrections from authors should be submitted via the ACS Paragon Plus environment by the
corresponding author for publication in the Addition/Correction section of the Journal. The
corresponding author should obtain approval from all of the article coauthors prior to submitting
an Addition and Correction or provide evidence that such approval has been solicited. The
Addition and Correction should include the original article title and author list, citation including
DOI, and details of the correction. For proper formatting, see examples in a current issue of the
Journal.
Retractions. Articles may be retracted for scientific or ethical reasons. Articles that contain
seriously flawed or erroneous data such that their findings and conclusions cannot be relied upon
may be retracted to correct the scientific record. Retractions may be requested by the article
3

author(s) or by the journal Editor(s), but are ultimately published at the discretion of the Editor.
When an article is retracted, a notice of Retraction will be published containing information
about the original article title, author list, and the reason for the Retraction. Retracted articles will
be accompanied by the related Retraction notice and will be marked as Retracted. The
originally published article will remain on the web except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g.
where deemed legally necessary or if the availability of the published content poses public health
risks). The American Chemical Society follows guidance from the Committee on Publication
Ethics (COPE) when considering retractions; for more information see:
http://publicationethics.org/.
Special Issues are published throughout the year. These issues may be a Memorial, Festschrift,
or collection of papers from a Meeting or Symposium. JPC A/B/C also publishes Special
Sections, which are placed at the front of an issue (followed by regular journal content).
Suggestions for Special Issue or Special Section topics may be directed to the Deputy Editors of
the corresponding journal section. As a general guideline, full Special Issues contain at least 40
Articles, and Special Sections have approximately 20 Articles.

MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION
Manuscript Format
Manuscripts must be prepared using accepted word-processing software, and all parts must be
double-spaced. All pages must be numbered consecutively starting with the title page and
including tables and figures. A standard font, in a size of 12 points or greater, must be used.
Standard American English usage is required. Authors who are not familiar with standard
American English are urged to seek assistance; deficiencies in grammar may be a serious
hindrance during the review process. For more information, authors may visit the Language
Editing Services listed under the Publishing Tools tab of the author & Reviewer Resource
Center.
The ACS Style Guide (3rd ed., 2006; ISBN 13:9780841239999) is available at
http://pubs.acs.org/page/books/index.html. The Third Edition is the definitive source for all
information needed to write, review, submit, and edit scholarly and scientific manuscripts. Refer
to a current issue of the Journal for general style.
The various sections of the manuscript should be assembled in the following sequence:

Manuscript Title (in Title Case) , Authorship, and Affiliations (single page)
Abstract (single page, labeled)
Introduction
Experimental and/or Theoretical Methods (including embedded Figures, Figure Captions,
and Tables)
Results and Discussion (including embedded Figures, Figure Captions, and Tables)
Conclusions
Supporting Information Description
Acknowledgment/Dedication

References (Manuscript titles should be provided and they should be in Title Case or
sentence case. Mixed cases are not acceptable.)
Table of Contents Image (at the end of the manuscript) and labeled accordingly.
Author Biographies (for Feature Articles & Review Articles only)
Supporting Information: submitted as separate files and not repeated in the manuscript
(proposed cover art images should be submitted as Supporting Information for Review
Only)

Title
The title should be specific and informative and be in Title Case. Using keywords in the title
assists in effective literature retrieval. The title, authorship, and institutional affiliations should
be included on a single page. Avoid using common phrases such as investigation, study,
demonstration, or performance evaluation, uncommon acronyms, and words such as First,
Novel, Facile, and One Pot in the title and abstract.

Authorship
Be consistent in authorship designation on the manuscript and on all correspondence. First name,
middle initial, and last name are preferred for correct identification, but omit titles. Give the
complete mailing address of the institution where the work was conducted and identify the
affiliation of each author. If the current address of an author is different, include it in a footnote
on the title page. The corresponding author to whom inquiries about the paper should be
addressed must be marked with an asterisk; provide the telephone number, fax number, and email address of this correspondent. All authors are notified by e-mail when the manuscript is
assigned to an Editor.

Abstract
The abstract should be a clear, concise, one paragraph summary (100200 words). It should be
informative rather than descriptive, giving scope, purpose, experimental approach, significant
results, and major conclusions. Do not cite references or refer to tables, figures, or other sections
of the paper in the abstract. Do not use graphics, equations, or tables in the Abstract because this
material will not display in secondary sources (e.g., Chemical Abstracts). Abbreviations and
acronyms should be defined upon first usage. Authors abstracts are used directly for Chemical
Abstracts. Follow the recommended format when preparing the abstract. Representative abstracts
are shown below in the Appendix.

Introduction
Discuss relationships of the study to previously published work but do not reiterate or attempt to
provide a complete literature survey. The purpose or reason for the research being reported and
its significance, originality, or contribution to new knowledge in the field should be clearly and
concisely stated. Do not include or summarize current findings in this section.

Experimental and/or Theoretical Methods

General Information. Complicated chemical equations, schemes, and structures should be
supplied as artwork, ready for publication. Schemes and charts should be numbered
consecutively with Arabic numbers. Capital, lowercase, and Greek letters should be easily
discernible or identified if ambiguity might result. Complicated superscripts and subscripts

should be avoided. Fractional exponents should be used instead of root signs. Tables, Figures,
and Figure Captions should be embedded within the Experimental/Theoretical Methods section.
Authors should consult a current copy of the Journal and The ACS Style Guide for examples of
style and general recommendations. See also: Mills, I.; et al. Quantities, Units and Symbols in
Physical Chemistry, 2nd ed.; Blackwell Scientific Publications: Oxford, U.K., 1993.
Hazards. Any unusual hazards in the chemicals, equipment, or procedures used in an
investigation should be clearly identified.

Results/Discussion
Results and Discussion may be presented in separate sections or combined into a single section,
whichever format conveys the results in the most lucid fashion. The author should discuss the
significance of observations, measurements, or computations and should also point out how these
contribute to the scientific objectives indicated in the Introduction. Tables, Figures, and Figure
Captions should be embedded within the text.

Conclusions
A brief summary should be given for the principal conclusions of the work.

Appendices
Appendices should only be used when a specific equation or result needs to be derived.
Otherwise, authors should use Supporting Information.

Acknowledgment/Dedication
Acknowledgments of financial assistance for the conduct of research, citations of theses, or
indications of presentation at a research meeting should be brief and placed in this section.
Dedications are not recommended and must reference scientific contributions without being
overly personal. Statements deemed inappropriately personal will be removed by the Journal
office staff.

Supporting Information Paragraph

If the manuscript is accompanied by any supporting information for publication, a brief
description of the supplementary material is required in the manuscript. The appropriate format
is:
Supporting Information. Brief statement in nonsentence format listing the contents of the
material supplied as Supporting Information.

References
References to the literature should be numbered individually, with only one citation per reference
(i.e., no 1a, 1b, etc.), in one consecutive series by order of appearance in the text, with the text
citations presented as non-parenthesized superscript Arabic numbers. Do not use ibid. Authors
should consult The ACS Style Guide for the appropriate style to use in citations of journal papers,
books, and other publications. References will be linked to various electronic sources (e.g., the
corresponding abstract from Chemical Abstracts Service, full text from other American
Chemical Society Journals, etc.); therefore, the accuracy of references is critical. Authors are
responsible for the accuracy of the references. It is the responsibility of the Author(s) to ensure
that cited references have not been retracted.
6

Unnecessarily long lists of references, including excessive self-citation, should be avoided;

however, authors must provide references to all relevant publications in which portions of the
present work have appeared. Citation of recent papers published in physical chemistry and
chemical physics journals that highlight the significance of the work to the general readership is
encouraged.
Journal references should contain author names, article title (preferably in Title Case),
abbreviated journal title, year, volume, and pages (firstlast):
McMahon, D. P.; Cheung, D. L.; Troisi, A. Why Holes and Electrons Separate So Well
in Polymer/Fullerene Photovoltaic Cells. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2011, 2, 27372741.
For work published online (e.g., ASAP), the DOI should be furnished in addition to the standard
bibliographic information. The DOI is an accepted form of citation before and after the article
appears in an issue.
Brown, A.; Ngai, T. Y.; Barnes, M. A.; Key, J. A.; Cairo, C. W. Substituted
Benzoxadiazoles as Fluorogenic Probes: A Computational Study of Absorption and
Fluorescence. J. Phys. Chem. A 2011, DOI: 10.1021/jp2079296.
Book references should contain author names, book title (written in title case), publisher, city,
and year:
Datta, S. Electronic Transport in Mesoscopic Systems; Cambridge University Press:
Cambridge, U.K., 1995.
References with more than 10 authors should list the first 10 authors followed by et al. The
complete author list may also be put into Supporting Information.
In literature references, journal abbreviations should be those used by Chemical Abstracts
Service [see Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index (CASSI) 19072004]. For references to
JPC A/B/C, part A, B, or C must be specified for papers published in 1997 forward.
Additional data and peripheral discussion should be placed in the Supporting Information (SI)
rather than in the References. Supplementary references may be placed in Supporting
Information. Submitted papers should not depend on unpublished material, and excessive
reference to material in press or reports not readily found in research libraries is discouraged. If
pertinent references are in press or unpublished for any reason, upload copies of the references as
Supporting Information for Review Only to enable Reviewers to evaluate the manuscript. Papers
accepted for publication are cited as in press; the DOI should be given if the paper is published
online. Note that the use of unpublished work by others (including information obtained in
private communication(s)) requires their permission.

Tables
Tables should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numbers. Preferably, each table should be
embedded in the manuscript after it is first referenced. Alternatively, they can be put at the end
of the manuscript. Each table must have a brief title that describes its contents. The title should
be understandable without reference to the text. Details should be put in footnotes, not in the
title. Tables should be used when the data cannot be presented clearly as narrative, when many
numbers must be presented, or when more meaningful interrelationships can be conveyed by a
tabular format. Tables should supplement, not duplicate, information presented in the text and
figures. Tables should be simple and concise.
7

Column headings should be lowercase, except for symbols and proper names. Define
nonstandard abbreviations in footnotes. Footnotes in tables should be given letter designations
and be cited in the table by italic superscript letters. The sequence of letters should proceed by
line rather than by column. If a reference is cited both in the text and in a table, a lettered
footnote that refers to the numbered reference in the text should be inserted in the table.
In setting up tables, authors should keep in mind the area of the Journals page (17.8 cm 25.0
cm) and the column width (8.5 cm) and should make tables conform to the limitations of these
dimensions.

Figure Captions
A caption giving the figure number and a brief description, preferably only one or two sentences,
must be included for each figure. Do not use color in the captions. If color is necessary, include a
key in the artwork itself.

Figures
All figures must be mentioned in the text in consecutive order and must be numbered with
Arabic numbers. Preferably, each figure should be embedded in the manuscript following the
first reference to the figure. It is also possible to put figures at the end of the manuscript. If
symbols are used, it is preferable to place a key in the artwork itself, not in the caption. Ensure
that any symbols and abbreviations used in the text agree with those in the figures. See more
detailed information on submission of graphics under Artwork below.

Table of Contents (TOC) Image

A TOC graphic is required for Articles, Feature Articles, and Review Articles. TOC graphics
will appear only in the Web edition of the journal; the same graphic will also be published in the
Abstract of the manuscript. The TOC graphic should be closely tied to the science in the article,
so photos of people or nonscientific images such as cartoon characters and clip art are not
acceptable. The illustration should capture the Readers attention and, in conjunction with the
manuscript title, give the Reader a quick visual impression of the essence of the paper without
providing specific results. The graphic should be in the form of a structure, graphical image,
photograph, reaction scheme, or equation. Copyright permission may be required for previously
published material. The author must submit the graphic in the actual size to be used for the TOC,
fitting in an area no larger than 3.25 in. 1.75 in. (approx. 8.5 cm 4.75 cm). Larger images
will be reduced to fit within those dimensions. The type size of labels and other symbols within
the graphic must be legible. Tables and spectra are not acceptable. Provide the TOC graphic
upon submission of the paper as the last page of the manuscript.

Author Biographies
Feature Articles and Review Articles include a brief biography for each author of the paper.
Biographies should contain approximately four to five sentences describing the authors
education, previous and current positions, and scientific interests. Photograph(s) are optional but
welcome. Photos of authors posed individually are acceptable; however, if more than five
authors wish to include photographs, a group picture is required. Biographies (and photographs)
are to be submitted as part of the manuscript.

Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts Using TeX/LaTeX

Authors who submit manuscripts composed in TeX/LaTeX should submit a PDF file of the
manuscript along with the native TeX/LaTeX manuscript package as a ZIP Archive. Use of the
freely available achemso style package to help prepare your submission is strongly encouraged.
The achemso package provides the official macros (achemso.cls) and BibTeX styles
(achemso.bst and biochem.bst) for submission to ACS journals. The package and instructions are
available from CTAN, the Comprehensive TeX Archive Network. For complete information on
submitting TeX/LaTeX files, see Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts Using TeX/LaTeX.

ORCID
All authors are strongly encouraged to register for an ORCID iD, a unique researcher identifier.
With this standard identifier, you can create a profile of your research activities to distinguish
yourself from other researchers with similar names, and make it easier for your colleagues to find
your publications. Learn more at http://www.orcid.org. Authors and reviewers can add their
ORCID iD to, or register for an ORCID iD from, their account in ACS Paragon Plus.

Data Management and Reporting of Raw Data

Authors are encouraged to report all data that are either necessary for reproduction of results or
are reported in the manuscripts figures, charts, and tables as Supporting Information (SI). Per
ACS policy, the SI is immediately publicly available free of charge on the internet upon
publication, regardless of whether or not the accompanying article is made open access. We note
that the Journal Publishing Agreement, which is available online, provides for a nonexclusive
copyright held jointly between the ACS and the authors.

ARTWORK
General Considerations
Acceptable file formats are tif and pdf. For figures uploaded individually to Paragon Plus, the
author must use the Graphic for Manuscript file designation.
In general, graphics should be copied from the graphics program window and pasted directly into
the manuscript. The author should make sure that the graphic is at the appropriate resolution (see
below) before copying and pasting. The graphics should be resized in the graphics program and
then pasted into the manuscript. The author should not resize graphics after they are pasted into a
text file. This instruction is true regardless of the graphics original format (cds, tif, eps, pdf,
etc.). It may help to print the manuscript on a laser printer to ensure all artwork is clear and
legible.

Quality
The quality of the graphics in the Journal depends on the quality of the originals provided by the
author. Figures cannot be modified or enhanced by the Journal production staff. Images
produced from continuous-tone graphics such as photographs should have high contrast. The
RGB and resolution requirements are essential for producing high-quality graphics within the
published manuscript. Graphics submitted in CMYK or at lower resolutions may be used;
however, the colors may not be consistent, and graphics of poor quality may not be able to be
improved.
9

Resolution
Digital graphics pasted into manuscripts should have the following minimum resolution:
Black and white line art
Grayscale art
Color art (RGB color mode)

1200 dpi
600 dpi
300 dpi

Size
Graphics must fit a one- or two-column format on the Journal page. For efficient use of Journal
space, single-column graphics are preferred.
width
minimum
maximum
maximum depth

single (preferred)

double

8.25 cm (3.25 in.)

24 cm (9.5 in.)

10.5 cm (4.13 in.)

17.78 cm (7 in.)
24 cm (9.5 in.)

For best results, submit graphics in the actual size at which they should appear in the
published version. Original graphics that do not need to be reduced to fit a single or double
column will yield the best quality. Lettering should be no smaller than 4.5 points in the final
published format. Helvetica or Arial fonts work well for lettering. Dashed, dotted, and solid lines
should be no thinner than 0.5 point. Lettering and lines should be of uniform density and the
lines unbroken. If the submitted artwork must be reduced, larger lettering and thicker lines
should be used so that, when reduced, the artwork meets the above mentioned criteria.
Avoid using complex textures and shading to achieve a three-dimensional effect. Parallel or
cross-hatched lines should be used to fill enclosed areas with a pattern.

Color
The use of color to enhance the clarity of complex structures, figures, spectra, schemes, etc. is
encouraged. Color graphics will appear in color in both print and Web products. Color
reproduction of graphics will be provided at no cost to the author. For manuscripts containing
color, a surcharge is added to the standard cost of paper reprints. Graphics intended to appear in
black and white or grayscale should not be submitted in color.

Chemical Structures
Structures should be produced with the use of a drawing program such as ChemDraw. Authors
using the current versions of ChemDraw will find the necessary parameters incorporated into this
program (ACS Document 1996). Authors using older versions of ChemDraw should use the
following settings:
(1) As drawing settings, select:
chain angle
bond spacing
fixed length
bold width
line width
margin width
hash spacing

120
18% of width
14.4 pt (0.508 cm, 0.2 in.)
2.0 pt (0.071 cm, 0.0278 in.)
0.6 pt (0.021 cm, 0.0084 in.)
1.6 pt (0.056 cm, 0.0222 in.)
2.5 pt (0.088 cm, 0.0347 in.)
10

(2) As text settings, select:

font
size

Arial/Helvetica
10 pt

(3) Under the preferences, choose:

units
tolerances

points
5 pixels

(4) Under page setup, choose:

paper
scale

US Letter
100%

(5) Use the ChemDraw ruler or appropriate margin settings to create charts, equations,
and schemes with maximum widths of 8.25 cm (one-column format) or 17.8 cm
(two-column format). If the foregoing drawing-setting lengths and widths are
selected in centimeters rather than in points or inches, the ChemDraw ruler will be
calibrated in centimeters.
(6) Copy and paste the graphics into the manuscript text file at the appropriate locations.
Do not use the insert function.
Authors using other drawing packages should set the program parameters to match the above
values as closely as possible.

Schemes
Sequences of reactions are called schemes and should be numbered consecutively with Arabic
numbers. Schemes may have brief titles describing their contents and footnotes, if needed, for
further detail.

Charts
Groups of structures that do not show reactions are called charts and should be numbered
consecutively with Arabic numbers. Charts may have brief titles describing their contents and
footnotes, if needed, for further detail.

Cover Art
Cover art images may be submitted with any type of manuscript, although publication preference
will be given to Feature Articles, Review Articles, and Articles that review very favorably and
manuscripts by authors who review regularly for the journal. All authors are encouraged to
submit images for consideration as cover art. Cover images must capture the importance and
excitement of the science discussed within the manuscript while also being eye-catching and
aesthetically appealing. Cover art should be closely tied to the science in the article, so photos of
people or nonscientific images such as cartoon characters and clip art are not acceptable.
Consider providing artwork (with short and long captions) for possible use as cover art.
Submitted images are approved by the Managing and Deputy Editors. Before cover art is
accepted for publication, an additional copyright form may be required. Authors need to ensure
that the images included in the cover art are original or, if not, that the necessary permissions
have been obtained.

11

Cover images approved for publication may be modified by the ACS graphic artist pending the
Authors final approval. Instructions for preparing cover art are available on the ACS Web site.
Do not reduce the image size or resolution when uploading the file to ACS Paragon Plus. Cover
art files should be submitted as Supporting Information for Review Only. Images chosen for the
cover will be published at no cost to the author.

Web-Enhanced Objects
The Journal encourages the submission of Web-enhanced objects (WEOs) for the presentation of
graphical results that go beyond conventional print publication capabilities, including 3D
rotatable figures, animations, spectra, video, and sound. Links to WEOs will appear in the Web
HTML version of the paper. Files suitable for this form of publication should be viewable with
commonly available Internet plug-ins (e.g., Chime) or helper applications (Rasmol, Mercury,
etc.). Authors should submit WEOs via the ACS Paragon Plus Website as part of their
submission and clearly indicate to the Editor that the material is WEO material. Descriptions of
WEOs should be noted in the appropriate places within the graphic caption or text of the paper,
noting the type of file and format. Example: A 3D rotatable image in xyz format is available.
For more information, go to http://pubs.acs.org/page/4authors/submission/weo.html.

ASSISTANCE WITH IMPROVING YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Authors may want professional assistance with improving the English, figures, or
formatting in their manuscript before submission. ACS ChemWorx Authoring Services can
save you time and improve the communication of research in your manuscript. You can
learn more about the services offered at http://es.acschemworx.acs.org.

SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS
Manuscripts must be submitted via the ACS Paragon Plus Environment
(http://paragonplus.acs.org/login). Complete instructions and an overview of the electronic
online submission process are available through the secure ACS Paragon Plus website. Authors
must also submit all revisions of manuscripts via the ACS Paragon Plus Environment. The online
submission site employs state-of-the-art security mechanisms to ensure that all electronically
submitted papers are secure. These same security mechanisms are utilized throughout the peer
review process and permits access only to Editors and Reviewers who are assigned to a
particular paper.
Authors whose manuscripts are published in the Journal will be expected
to review manuscripts submitted by other researchers from time to time.
In addition to the information requested by the ACS Paragon Plus submission system, all
manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover letter that contains clear and precise information
about the submission. Please use official letterhead of the authors affiliation that lists the
telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. The cover letter must include all of the
following points:
Manuscript title.
Authors, including the full names (preferred), titles, and positions of ALL authors
(undergraduate or graduate student, post-doc, professor, etc.). All authors must have
accounts in ACS Paragon Plus. The corresponding author must be a Senior author

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(Professor, Research Associate, or similar), not a student. Please list corresponding

authors name, address, telephone number, and current institution e-mail address.
Manuscript type (Article, Feature Article, Review Article, Comment, Special Issue, or
Addition/Correction).
Journal Part and Section that is most appropriate for your manuscript based on scope.
[Please note that the final decision on Journal Part and Section remains with the Editors.]
Explanation of the manuscripts significance, including its originality, new physical
insights, and contribution to new knowledge in the field.
Notification if manuscript contains a dedication statement.
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When submitting manuscripts in ACS Paragon Plus, authors should do the following:
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13

ETHICS
Multiple Reporting of Research. It is improper for an author to simultaneously submit
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The complete document Ethical Guidelines to Publication of Chemical
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Information on the ACS Journal Publishing Agreement may be found below in the section
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respectively. For more information on ethical responsibilities of authors, see the Ethical
Guidelines to Publication of Chemical Research.
14

EDITORIAL PEER REVIEW PROCESS

The Editors may exercise their prerogative to reject a manuscript without peer review if that
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and marginally incremental, lacking in significance, or containing no obvious new physical
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All submitted manuscripts are reviewed and handled by the Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editors,
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The Editors seek the scientific advice of Reviewers who are active in the research area covered
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communication and to write a Reply if deemed necessary. The Reply and the original
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A manuscript sent back to an author for revision should be returned to the Editor without delay.
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as the official revised manuscript submission.

15

Manuscript Transfer Service

Occasionally editors in ACS Journals feel that manuscripts are a better fit for another ACS
Journal and suggest that authors consider transferring the submission. The Manuscript Transfer
Service simplifies and shortens manuscript submission to another ACS Journal, as all the
coauthors, suggested reviewers, manuscript files, and responses to submission questions are
copied to the new submission. Once authors have selected a new journal, the journal office will
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To determine if a manuscript transfer is an appropriate next step, authors are encouraged to read
Is Manuscript Transfer Right for Me? Authors are also reminded to review journal editorial
scope statements as they consider the next destination for the submission.
Requirements of the new journal may be different, so authors should also check the Author
Guidelines and make any needed revisions to conform to those requirements. Note that
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publication decision will belong to the editor in the next journal. Please keep in mind that the
reviews, reviewer identities, and decision letter will all be transferred to the new journal. For
complete details, see http://pubs.acs.org/page/policy/manuscript_transfer/index.html.

JUST ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTS

Just Accepted manuscripts are peer reviewed, accepted manuscripts that are posted on the ACS
Publications Website prior to technical editing, formatting for publication, and author proofing
usually within 30 minutes to 24 hours of acceptance by the editorial office. During the
manuscript submission process, authors can choose to have their manuscript posted online as a
Just Accepted manuscript. Note that Just Accepted manuscripts are considered to be published
and fully citable by their DOI. To ensure rapid delivery of the accepted manuscript to the Web,
authors must adhere carefully to all requirements in the journals Author Guidelines. Authors
should use care when reviewing their manuscript PDF before submission, because, if the
author chooses to have the manuscript published as a Just Accepted manuscript, the PDF
will be published immediately upon acceptance and cannot be changed. The author will
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further information, please refer to the Just Accepted FAQ, at
http://services.acs.org/pubshelp/passthru.cgi?action=kb&item=244. Note that publishing a
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Mandate.

ASAP PUBLICATION
Accepted manuscripts will be published on the Articles ASAP page on the Journal Website as
soon as page proofs are corrected and all author concerns are resolved. Publication on the Web
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Special Issue may remain published ASAP for several months. The actual date on which an
accepted paper is published on the Web is recorded on the Web version of the manuscript and on
the first page of the final PDF version.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Extensive tables, graphs, spectra, calculations, detailed experimental methodology, and other
material beyond a modest content in the published paper may be included as Supporting
16

Information (SI) for Publication. SI is uploaded as separate files (file designation Supporting
Information for Publication) during the manuscript submission process and must not be included
or duplicated in the manuscript. Edit traces and highlighting (color, italic, bold) to identify
revisions must be removed before uploading. The manuscript title and authors names and
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format Figure S1, Figure S2, etc. Tables/Schemes/Charts should use a comparable naming
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large files prepared in the acceptable formats to speed transfer time. Files prepared in any other
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Reproducibility of results: It is essential that papers provide enough information so that
calculations can be reproduced by others. Manuscripts that report the results of electronic
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No. 4, 10151018; http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac199870041015). Manuscripts that present force
field parameters and other potential energy surface information should follow the guidelines in
D. J. Raber and W. C. Guida (Pure Appl. Chem. 1998, 70, No. 10, 20472049;
http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac199870102047). Both sets of guidelines can be viewed online at
http://iupac.org/publications/pac/reports/year/1998/.

Guidelines for Structural Data

Authors are required to provide crystallographic or surface structure data as Supporting
Information in crystallographic information file (CIF) format.

Nomenclature
Registered trademark names should be capitalized whenever used. Trade and trivial names
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International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Chemical Abstracts (CA) nomenclature rules are described in Appendix IV of the Chemical
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or e-mail, [email protected].

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ACS PARAGON PLUS TIPS

Word documents and PDFs should contain everything, including Figures and Figure
Captions, but not Supporting Information.
Manuscripts will expire if a revision is not returned by the date in the Editor's decision
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Do not use inaccurate or fictitious e-mail addresses because it may delay the review
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Contact the Help Desk ([email protected]) for problems or questions concerning
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REVISIONS AND RESUBMISSIONS

For Revisions:

Provide a cover letter clearly identifying the manuscript as a revision. The cover letter
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In addition to the cover letter, provide a response-to-reviewers letter. This letter must
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Be aware that the manuscript along with the response letter may be sent for additional
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Return revision by the date given in the Editors decision letter or the manuscript will
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For Resubmissions:
Clearly identify the manuscript as a resubmission; reference the previous manuscript
number in the cover letter.
Include an itemized list of changes to the manuscript, with a response to each comment
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JOURNAL PUBLISHING AGREEMENT

A properly completed and signed Journal Publishing Agreement must be submitted for each
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PERMISSIONS AND CREDIT LINES

To get permission to reproduce material (tables, figures, graphs, photographs, artwork), contact
the copyright holder, giving complete information, to receive permission in writing. Most often
the copyright holder is the publisher. Before requesting permission, refer to the publishers Web
site for instructions. Many publishers use RightsLink. For permission request information for
papers published in ACS Journals, and the use of RightsLink, see
http://pubs.acs.org/page/copyright/permissions.html.
Appropriate credit lines must be included for content from other sources (e.g., figures, tables, or
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information regarding properly citing references can be found on our ACS website, see
http://pubs.acs.org/page/copyright/permissions.html.

PROOFS AND REPRINTS

Proofs
The corresponding author of an accepted manuscript will receive e-mail notification and
complete instructions when page proofs are available for review via a secure Website. Authors
will access the secure site through ACS ChemWorx and will need an ACS ID. To obtain an ACS ID
or to reset your password, go to www.acschemworx.org. No paper is released for publication
until an authors corrected proof has been returned. The attention of the authors is directed to the
instructions that accompany the proof. Special attention should be given to correct presentation
of the author names, author queries in the edit trace, and confirmation of the Supporting
Information for publication. Proofs should be checked against the manuscript and returned as
soon as possible. Routine rephrasing of sentences or additions are not permitted at the page proof
stage. Alterations should be restricted to serious changes in interpretation or corrections of data.
Corrections to Supporting Information require new, complete SI files. Supporting Information is
not edited/corrected by the Journal production staff. Extensive or important changes on page
proofs, including changes to the title or to the list of authors and addition or revision of
references, are subject to Editorial review. Revised or new Supporting Information may require
Editorial Review.
It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to ensure that all authors listed on the
manuscript agree with the changes made on the proofs. Galley proofs should be returned within
48 hours of receipt to ensure timely publication of the manuscript.

ACS Policies for E-prints, ACS AuthorChoice Open Access, and Reprints
Under the ACS Articles on Request policy, the Society will provide (free of charge) to all
contributing authors a unique URL within the ACS Website that they may e-mail to colleagues
or post on external Websites. These author-directed links are designed to facilitate distribution of
an authors published work to interested colleagues in lieu of direct distribution of the PDF file
by the author. The ACS Articles on Request policy allows 50 downloads within the first year
after Web publication and unlimited access via the same author-directed links 12 months after
Web publication. For more details on ACS Articles on Request, please visit
http://pubs.acs.org/page/policy/articlesonrequest/index.html.
ACS AuthorChoice options establish fee-based mechanisms for authors or their research funding
agencies to sponsor the open availability of final published articles on the Web. ACS
AuthorChoice offers authors a wide range of open access license options, such as Creative
19

Commons licenses and provisions for immediate or 12-month embargoed open access, and
includes ACS Certified Deposit. Authors will find useful information about compliance with
open access policies available here and FAQs here. Corresponding authors who published with
ACS during 2014 may have access to ACS Author Rewards, a $60M stimulus program ACS
provided to help authors transition to new open access publishing models.
Authors must sign the Journals Publishing Agreement. Forms and complete instructions are
available here. After acceptance, authors will be presented with the opportunity to purchase an
ACS AuthorChoice option, and authors who do so will be presented with the appropriate license
at that time. For a review of all license options available, see here. For questions or further
assistance with ACS AuthorChoice, please reach out to [email protected].
For paper reprints, when authors are sent the proof of their paper, they will receive a link to a
Website where they may order author reprints. They may also call Cierant Corporation (866-3050111 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST). Reprints will be shipped within two weeks after the issue
publication date. Neither the Editors nor the Washington ACS Office keeps a supply of reprints;
requests for single copies of papers should be addressed to the corresponding author of the paper
concerned.

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APPENDIX: Examples of Abstracts

One or two sentences
providing background
on the problem.
Two or three sentences
summarizing the
methodology and
results.

A concluding sentence
highlighting the
significance of the
study.

Nitrogen oxides, including nitrogen dioxide and nitric acid, react with mineral
dust particles in the atmosphere to yield adsorbed nitrate. Although nitrate ion
is a well-known chromophore in natural waters, little is known about the
surface photochemistry of nitrate adsorbed on mineral particles. In this study,
nitrate adsorbed on aluminum oxide, a model system for mineral dust aerosol,
is irradiated with broadband light ( > 300 nm) as a function of relative
humidity (RH) in the presence of molecular oxygen. Upon irradiation, the
nitrate ion readily undergoes photolysis to yield nitrogen-containing gasphase products including NO2, NO, and N2O, with NO being the major
product. The relative ratio and product yields of these gas-phase products
change with RH, with N2O production being highest at the higher relative
humidities. Furthermore, an efficient dark reaction readily converts the major
NO product into NO2 during post-irradiation. Photochemical processes on
mineral dust aerosol surfaces have the potential to impact the chemical
balance of the atmosphere, yet little is known about these processes. In this
study, the impact that adsorbed nitrate photochemistry may have on the
renoxification of the atmosphere is discussed. (J. Phys. Chem. A 2009, 113,
78187825).
Polymer-fullerene bilayer heterostructures are suited to study excitonic
processes in conjugated polymers. Excitons are efficiently quenched at
the polymer-fullerene interface, whereas the polymer-vacuum interface is
often considered as an exciton-reflecting interface. Here, we report about
efficient exciton quenching close to the polymer-vacuum interface of
spin-coated MDMO-PPV (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-pphenylenevinylene]) films. The quenching efficiency is estimated to be
as high as that of the polymer-fullerene interface. This efficient
quenching is consistent with enhanced intermolecular interactions close
to the polymer-vacuum interface due to the formation of a skin layer
during the spin-coating procedure. In the skin layer, the polymer density
is higher; that is, the intermolecular distances are shorter than in the rest
of the film. The effect of exciton quenching at the polymer-vacuum
interface should be taken into account when the thickness of the polymer
film is on the order of the exciton diffusion length; in particular, in the
determination of the exciton diffusion length. (J. Phys. Chem. B 2009,
113, 91049109).
Nanostructured metallic architectures have unique and highly attractive
properties, including large optical field enhancements resulting in strong
light scattering and absorption. Modification of prefabricated
nanostructures by simple galvanic displacement (GD) allows for the
design of new nanomaterials with enhanced optical properties. In this
paper, we have studied the optical properties of two families of Ag
fractals before and after GD in a Au(III) solution. The new nanomaterials
showed significantly improved optical enhancing properties that allowed
for straightforward and highly reproducible single-molecule detection by
surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). (J. Phys. Chem.
C 2009, 113, 1289712900).

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