Interview with Dr. Zheng Liu, Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today Catalysis

Here we talk with Editor-in-Chief Dr. Zheng Liu—a world renowned researcher from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore—about the journal’s scope and aspirations for the future.

Congratulations on the launch of your new journal! Can you tell us a bit about Materials Today Catalysis and the role you hope this journal will play? 

As the Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today Catalysis, I am honored to steer this journal into the vast expanse of catalysis research. I am so excited to navigate the realm of catalysis, pushing boundaries, and advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge and industrial practice with my team, and our authors.

The mission of Materials Today Catalysis is to address current challenges in catalysis, encompassing heterogeneous catalysis, molecular catalysis, and biocatalysis. We seek to provide insights into atomic-scale catalytic processes, catalyst design principles, and real-world implementation, facilitating both scientific understanding and practical applications.

With a rigorous peer-review process, we ensure the publication of high-quality research featuring novel synthesis strategies, advanced technologies, groundbreaking concepts, and robust data. Our goal is to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and accelerate progress in catalysis by serving as a platform for the global exchange of ideas.

What scope of topics do you plan to cover in this journal, and are there any specific topics you want to see published? 

We publish a diverse range of article types, including comprehensive research articles, short communications, review articles, perspectives, roadmaps, and news & views. Materials Today Catalysis covers an extensive array of topics, including catalyst synthesis, catalytic theory and mechanism, in-situ characterization, computational catalysis, intelligent catalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, biocatalysis, organometallic catalysis, environmental catalysis, nanostructured catalysts, and large-scale and industrial catalysis.

We actively encourage innovative research that explores novel concepts, synthesis strategies, and addresses emerging challenges in catalysis. Our aim is to publish high-quality work that advances the field and makes a significant impact across scientific disciplines and industrial applications.

Personally, I am particularly interested in disciplinary work that pushes the boundaries of catalysis. This includes utilizing in-situ technologies to reveal catalytic reactions at extreme time and spatial scales, enriching or even proposing new catalytic theories that incorporate cutting-edge advancements in physics and chemistry, leveraging artificial intelligence to design the next generation of catalysts, and addressing practical issue for catalytic industry.

What sets Materials Today Catalysis apart from other journals in this area? 

There are three points that make Materials Today Catalysis stand out from its peers.

1. Materials focus: Materials Today Catalysis strives to foster a structure-activity relationship. In short, we hope to clarify the structure and properties of materials with their specific catalytic performance, create robust new knowledge, and thereby inspiring novel applications, and advancements in catalysis.
2. High-quality research: We maintain a high standard for publication, ensuring that only high-quality and cutting-edge work in the field of catalysis is accepted. This commitment to excellence ensures that our readers are exposed to the latest advancements and significant contributions in the field.
3. Small and beautiful: Materials Today Catalysis operates on a quarterly publication schedule and the number of publications is now relatively small, which ensures that each issue is carefully curated and offers a focused collection of high-quality articles. This frequency allows us to maintain a highly competitive and selective journal.

What would you say are the main benefits to authors of publishing in Materials Today Catalysis? 

• High visibility and impact: As part of the prestigious Materials Today family, authors gain access to a wide readership and increased visibility within the catalysis community. Publishing in our journal increases the chances of their work being noticed, cited, and making a significant impact in the field.
• Efficient publication process and world-class author services: Authors benefit from a streamlined submission and review process, ensuring a smooth journey from manuscript submission to final publication. They also receive efficient and professional author services, including fast turnaround times and potential paper highlights, enhancing the visibility and impact of their work.
• Multidisciplinary exposure and open access publication: All published papers are open access and are made freely and permanently available to readers and what’s more, they will be hosted on ScienceDirect which has over 17 million active users.

Finally, can you offer any advice to would-be-authors looking to publish their next paper with Materials Today Catalysis? 

• Scope alignment and topic focus: Ensure your paper aligns with the scope of Materials Today Catalysis. Familiarize yourself with the journal's focus and topics of interest to increase acceptance chances. Tailor your research to address relevant aspects and challenges in catalysis.
• Value provider and problem-solver: Highlight the value of your chosen topic for fundamental research or practical applications. Clearly articulate the significance and potential impact of your research in advancing catalysis understanding or real-world implications. Emphasize how your work contributes to the broader field and addresses current challenges.
• Hypothesis and evidence: Clearly state your research question or hypothesis. Substantiate claims with solid evidence, experimental data, and thorough analysis. Present a compelling case for your findings, supported by rigorous methodology and robust data.
• Clear text and engaging figures: Write concisely and create visually appealing figures to effectively convey key findings. Ensure clarity, appropriate labelling, and proper scaling in the figures to facilitate understanding and engagement for readers.