Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica (ISSN 1000-6818) is a peer-reviewed journal founded in 1985. It is co-sponsored by Chinese Chemical Society and Peking University. The journal has been indexed in SCI of ISI (US). Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica mainly publishes original experimental and theoretical research articles in the field of physical chemistry within the discipline of chemistry. The scope of the journal includes: Thermodynamics, kinetics, and structural chemistry (chemical equilibrium and thermodynamic parameters, calorimetry, nonequilibrium thermodynamics and dissipative structure, statistical thermodynamics, macrokinetics, molecular dynamics, ultrafast dynamics, excited states, solution chemistry, complex fluids, solution structure, atmospheric chemistry, dynamic structure, molecular structure, bulk structure, clusters, spectroscopy)Theoretical and computational chemistry (quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, simulation methods and application, computational chemistry, chemical informatics)Electrochemistry and new energy (electrode kinetics, interfacial electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, spectroelectrochemistry, electrochemical surface science, material electrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, nano-electrochemistry, electrochemical energy conversion and storage, corrosion electrochemistry)Colloid and interface chemistry (Surfactant, dispersion system and rheological property, molecular assembly and aggregate, macromolecule, interface structure)Catalysis and surface science (heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, biomimetic catalysis, photocatalysis, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, membrane, surface structure, surface adsorption)Photochemistry and radiation chemistry (photochemistry, photophysics, photographic chemistry, material photochemistry, plasma chemistry, radiation chemistry, optoelectronic devices)Biophysical chemistry (structure biophysical chemistry, Bio-photoelectric chemistry and thermodynamics, kinetics of life process)Physical chemistry of materials (nano and meso structure, nanometer material, nanometer science, Physicochemical property of materials)
Structure, Interactions and Dynamics of Simple, Molecular, Ionic and Complex LiquidsThe Journal of Molecular Liquids includes papers in the following areas:– Simple organic liquids and mixtures – Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents – Surfactant solutions (including micelles and vesicles) and Colloids – Thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals and gels – Ferrofluids – Water, aqueous solutions and other hydrogen-bonded liquids – Lubricants, polymer solutions and melts – Molten metals and salts – Phase transitions and critical phenomena in liquids and confined fluids – Self assembly in complex liquids – Biomolecules in solution – Surface science involving solid-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces.The emphasis is on the molecular (or microscopic) understanding of particular liquids or liquid systems, especially concerning structure, dynamics and intermolecular forces, and on the solvent roles in structural and dynamical properties, thermodynamic quantities, functions, and reactions at the molecular level. Experimental studies, computer simulations, quantum chemical simulations and analytical theory will be considered for publication. The experimental techniques used may include:– Conventional spectroscopy (mid-IR and far-IR, Raman, NMR, etc.) – Non-linear optics and time resolved spectroscopy (psec, fsec, asec, ISRS, etc.) – Light scattering (Rayleigh, Brillouin, PCS, etc.) – Dielectric relaxation – X-ray and neutron scattering and diffraction.Papers just reporting experimental results that do not contribute to the understanding of the fundamentals of molecular liquids and ionic liquids and solutions will not be accepted. Only papers of a non-routine nature and advancing the field will be considered for publication.Authors who wish to appeal the rejection of their manuscript may submit a formal appeal. Appeal requests must be made in writing to the Journal (you can find the Journal's email address on the Journal's homepage) with the word "appeal" and the manuscript number in the subject line.Authors should:submit their appeal within 1 month of receiving the rejection letter and should not submit their manuscript to any other journal while their appeal is being considered.detail in the appeal letter why they refute the decision and provide point-by-point responses to any of the editors' and/or reviewers' comments that seem to have contributed to the decision. A difference of opinion as to the interest, novelty, or suitability of the manuscript for the journal is not a sufficient reason for an appeal.provide any new information or data that the Journal should take into consideration. This should not be a repetition of what was included in the original submission or cover letter.provide evidence if they believe the Editor or Reviewer has made technical errors in their assessment of the manuscript.include evidence if they believe the Editor or Reviewer may have a conflict of interest or has been biased.The appeal will be considered by the Journal's Editors-in-Chief or their designated representative (such as members of a journal's Ethics Committee), or by Elsevier staff as needed. Even if the Journal agrees to reconsider the manuscript, acceptance is not guaranteed, and the reconsideration process may involve re-review by previous or new reviewers or Editors, and substantive revision. Only one appeal per submission will be considered and the Editor's decision will be final. The Journal is unable to consider appeals in which the subject matter is the focus of an on-going legal proceeding and reserves the right to decline, suspend or discontinue an appeal in the event that legal proceedings pertaining to the subject matter of the appeal should commence.
AimsThe Journal of Water Process Engineering (JWPE) aspires to be the leading international platform for the dissemination of high-impact research on sustainable engineering solutions for water and wastewater treatment processes. It publishes rigorously peer-reviewed articles from researchers and practitioners actively engaged in the development and discovery of cost-effective technologies and engineering strategies in water and wastewater treatment. JWPE is fully aligned with and committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation."ScopeWater process engineering involves the understanding and application of fundamental scientific principles to transform raw or wastewater sources into valuable products that benefit society while operating across laboratory, pilot, or full industrial scales. These valuable products include clean water, energy, and various resources. JWPE focuses on the design, operation, control, modelling, optimization, and intensification of processes relevant to water and wastewater treatment.Research that emphasizes the engineered applications and practices of water and wastewater treatment processes, as opposed to studies focused primarily on fundamental scientific principles or materials development, is particularly valued. JWPE encourages submissions of high-quality research articles and state-of-the-art reviews from both academic and industrial researchers and technologists. Given that water processing largely involves the efficient removal and detoxification of contaminants in various forms (soluble, colloidal, or suspended; inorganic or organic; degradable or refractory), applicable technologies can generally be classified into the main categories of chemical conversion, physical separation, and biological degradation. These processes are conducted within various reactors and systems, which must be carefully designed, optimized, operated and controlled, making these aspects another integral part of water process engineering. In addition, the development of water technologies and systems is increasingly integrated with sensing and monitoring tools, which should also be addressed within the scope of JWPE. As global challenges such as the energy/resource crisis and climate change become more pressing, the concept of “wastewater as a resource” has gained widespread recognition, and maximizing resource recovery is now a critical objective in water processing.Based on these considerations, JWPE welcomes submissions in the following areas of interest: Chemical and Catalytic Conversion ProcessesThis category encompasses processes for converting dissolved refractory contaminants and toxicants into mineralized and/or non-toxic substances through chemical and catalytic mechanisms:Advanced oxidation using novel oxidizing agentsPhotocatalysis employing innovative catalysts and light sourcesElectrochemical-driven processes (e.g., electrocatalysis, electrooxidation, electro-crystallization)Catalytic and non-catalytic processes associated with acoustic, cavitation, microwave, and plasma applicationsWater disinfection using novel disinfectants and methodsChemical digestion and precipitation Other emerging technologies and processes for chemical/catalytic conversionSeparation and Extraction ProcessesThis category focuses on the physical and physicochemical separation/extraction of soluble, colloidal, and suspended contaminants from water and wastewater: Coagulation using novel coagulants/flocculants and methodsEnhancement of physical separation processes (e.g., sedimentation, flotation, media filtration, centrifugation, decantation)Membrane filtration processes, including pressure-driven and osmotically-driven membranes Membrane reactors/contactors (e.g., membrane bioreactor, reactors/contactors using photocatalytic or electrocatalytic membranes, and membrane distillation)Adsorption and ion exchangeThermal extraction/distillation for volatile substances extractionOther emerging technologies and processes for separation and extractionBiological and Ecological Processes This category addresses processes for the removal of biodegradable contaminants via biological and ecological methods:Enhancement of conventional biological processes (e.g., aerobic and anaerobic bioreactions, biofiltration)Biological processes for enhanced nutrient removalAnaerobic digestion for sludge disposalApplication of novel biotechnologies (e.g., microbial, fungal, molecular genetics) in water processingConstructed wetlands for water treatmentBioremediation for water environmental restorationEnhancement of ecological functions for water quality improvementOther emerging biological/ecological technologies and process hybridizationProcess Automation, Modelling, and OptimizationAdvanced process automation and control systemsIntegration of robotics and automated systems with water systemsModelling and optimisation of water processes and water systemsApplication of machine learning and advanced algorithms for process control & optimisationGreenhouse gas emissions modelling and control in water processesNovel methods for industrial benchmarking and reporting in water systemsEnergetics and life cycle assessments for water processesWater-energy nexus: optimisation of coupled water and energy systemsNet zero: new technologies, management strategies and policiesSensing, Monitoring and Emerging TechnologiesSensing technologies for detecting chemical and biological contaminants in water systemsNovel sensing and analytical technologies for emerging contaminants (e.g., microplastics, pharmaceuticals, PFAS)Novel technologies and approaches for water process monitoringEdge computing and IoT-enabled water monitoring systemsDevelopment and application of digital twins for water systemsData-driven predictive maintenance and fault detection in water processingAI-powered tools for real-time water quality prediction and decision-makingWater system digitization, big data analytics, and informaticsDisruptive technologies for water systems monitoring and managementProcesses for Resource Recovery and ValorisationThis category covers novel processes and technologies aimed at enhancing resource recovery and valorisation from domestic and industrial wastewater:Energy recovery and production from wastewaterResource recovery/extraction from wastewaterOptimized sludge management for improved energy/resource recoveryValorisation of products recovered from industrial wastewaterAtmospheric water generation and harvestingTechnological schemes (including case studies) for decarbonization in wastewater treatmentOther emerging technologies for resource recovery and valorisation from wastewaterAuthors are encouraged to select the most appropriate category from the six areas listed above for their submissions to JWPE, based on the primary focus of their study. In cases where the research involves hybrid technologies, authors should identify the category that best aligns with the ultimate objective of the study.Submissions related to the development and application of novel materials for water and wastewater treatment, particularly those focused on enhancing the removal of refractory pollutants and improving energy or resource recovery for large-scale or community-scale applications, are highly encouraged. Additionally, studies on emerging technologies in water process engineering that do not fall directly under the existing categories are welcome. However, authors should be mindful of specific exclusions, such as studies on desalination through thermal or membrane processes, which are not within the scope of JWPE.The journal also seeks submissions that address process engineering aspects of water sustainability, with a particular emphasis on water reclamation, reuse, and recycling, as well as energy and resource recovery from alternative sources. Studies focusing on fit-for-purpose treatment processes and technologies that aim to reduce energy and chemical consumption, minimize environmental and carbon footprints, and maximize social benefits are especially encouraged. JWPE periodically publishes “Virtual Special Issues” that explore emerging research areas. Authors should watch for "Calls for Papers" related to these hot topics. Potential contributors may contact the VSI Editor for information on the relevance of their proposed topic and check the VSI page for information.Please note that JWPE does not accept submissions based on fundamental batch studies that lack a focus on engineering applications. Common examples of unacceptable submissions include batch/static adsorption studies of model contaminants without dynamic flow studies, batch photodegradation studies involving photocatalysts modified for visible light operation without engineering application, microbiological studies without a strong connection to biological processing, and membrane fabrication research without practical application. Submissions must also include robust statistical data analysis and benchmarking of data against controls and relevant literature, as well as a thorough and ethical data analysis framework.