Aims & Scope
Journal of Polymer Science Research (JPOR) publishes original research on the synthesis, characterization, structure-property relationships, and processing of synthetic and natural polymers at the molecular and macromolecular level.
Core Research DomainsTier 1
Polymer Synthesis & Reaction Mechanisms
- Controlled/living polymerization techniques (ATRP, RAFT, NMP, ROP)
- Step-growth and chain-growth polymerization kinetics
- Copolymerization strategies and sequence control
- Post-polymerization modification and functionalization
- Catalytic systems for polymerization reactions
- Mechanistic studies of polymerization pathways
"Mechanistic investigation of copper-mediated ATRP of methacrylates: kinetic modeling and structure-activity relationships of catalyst ligands"
Polymer Characterization & Analytical Methods
- Molecular weight determination (GPC/SEC, MALDI-TOF, light scattering)
- Spectroscopic analysis (NMR, IR, Raman, UV-Vis)
- Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, DMA, TMA)
- X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques (WAXS, SAXS)
- Microscopy methods (SEM, TEM, AFM, optical microscopy)
- Rheological characterization and viscoelastic properties
"Advanced 2D NMR techniques for elucidating branching architecture in hyperbranched polyesters: quantitative analysis of degree of branching"
Polymer Physics & Structure-Property Relationships
- Crystallization kinetics and morphology development
- Glass transition phenomena and molecular mobility
- Phase behavior in polymer blends and block copolymers
- Mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms
- Thermodynamic properties and equation-of-state modeling
- Chain conformation and dynamics in solution and melt
"Correlation between crystalline morphology and tensile properties in isotactic polypropylene: effect of nucleating agents on spherulite size distribution"
Polymer Processing & Manufacturing Science
- Extrusion processes and die design optimization
- Injection molding: flow simulation and part quality
- Additive manufacturing of polymers (FDM, SLA, SLS)
- Film formation and coating technologies
- Compounding and mixing: dispersion mechanisms
- Process-structure-property relationships in manufacturing
"Computational fluid dynamics modeling of polymer melt flow in co-rotating twin-screw extruders: predicting residence time distribution and mixing efficiency"
Secondary Focus AreasTier 2
Polymer Nanocomposites & Hybrid Materials
Synthesis and characterization of polymer-inorganic nanocomposites, nanoparticle dispersion mechanisms, interfacial interactions, and structure-property relationships in hybrid systems. Focus on materials chemistry rather than device applications.
Functional Polymers & Smart Materials
Stimuli-responsive polymers, self-healing materials, shape-memory polymers, conductive polymers, and photonic materials. Emphasis on molecular design, synthesis routes, and mechanism of functional response.
Biopolymers & Natural Polymers
Chemical modification of polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids; biosynthesis pathways; structure-function relationships in biological macromolecules. Biochemical mechanisms acceptable; clinical applications are not.
Polymer Surface Science & Interfaces
Surface modification techniques, wetting and adhesion phenomena, polymer brushes and grafted layers, surface characterization methods (XPS, contact angle, ellipsometry), and interfacial thermodynamics.
Computational Polymer Science
Molecular dynamics simulations, Monte Carlo methods, coarse-grained modeling, density functional theory calculations, machine learning for polymer property prediction, and multiscale modeling approaches.
Polymer Degradation & Stability
Thermal degradation mechanisms, oxidative stability, photodegradation pathways, hydrolytic degradation kinetics, stabilizer chemistry, and lifetime prediction models. Environmental fate from a chemistry perspective.
Emerging Research FrontiersTier 3
Editorial Note: Submissions in these emerging areas undergo additional editorial review to ensure alignment with our chemistry-focused scope. Manuscripts must emphasize molecular mechanisms, synthetic strategies, or fundamental materials science rather than application demonstrations.
AI-Driven Polymer Discovery
Machine learning algorithms for polymer property prediction, automated synthesis planning, high-throughput screening methods, and data-driven materials design. Must include experimental validation of computational predictions.
Sustainable Polymer Chemistry
Bio-based monomer synthesis, chemical recycling mechanisms, circular economy strategies from a molecular perspective, green chemistry approaches to polymerization, and life cycle assessment methodologies.
Supramolecular Polymers
Non-covalent polymerization mechanisms, host-guest chemistry in polymer systems, self-assembly pathways, dynamic covalent chemistry, and structure-property relationships in supramolecular architectures.
High-Performance & Specialty Polymers
Synthesis of thermally stable polymers, high-strength fiber chemistry, fluoropolymer synthesis and properties, liquid crystalline polymers, and structure-property optimization for extreme environments.
Explicitly Out of Scope
We Do NOT Consider:
- Clinical Studies & Medical Applications: Patient trials, therapeutic outcomes, medical device performance testing, drug delivery efficacy in humans, tissue engineering clinical results, or any research focused on diagnosis, treatment, or patient care. Rationale: Our scope is materials chemistry, not medicine. Drug delivery system chemistry is acceptable; clinical efficacy is not.
- Biological Enzyme Studies Without Polymer Focus: RNA polymerase mechanisms, DNA polymerase fidelity, Taq polymerase optimization, PCR protocol development, or enzyme kinetics unless directly related to polymer synthesis or modification. Rationale: These are molecular biology topics. We publish polymer chemistry, not enzymology.
- Device Engineering & Product Development: Consumer product formulations, commercial manufacturing optimization without fundamental science, device performance testing, or application-focused studies without mechanistic insight. Rationale: We publish fundamental research, not product development reports.
- Pure Materials Engineering Without Chemistry: Mechanical testing reports without structure-property correlation, failure analysis without molecular mechanisms, or purely empirical optimization studies. Rationale: Engineering outcomes must be linked to molecular-level understanding.
- Environmental Impact Assessments: Ecological studies, toxicity testing in organisms, environmental fate modeling without chemical mechanisms, or sustainability assessments without molecular chemistry focus. Rationale: Environmental chemistry of degradation is acceptable; ecological impact studies are not.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Fast-Track Review (14-21 days to first decision)
Standard Review (28-35 days to first decision)
Case-by-Case Editorial Evaluation
These formats are accepted only when they provide exceptional insight into fundamental polymer science questions or address critical methodological issues in the field.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- CONSORT for randomized trials
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- ARRIVE for animal studies
- STROBE for observational studies
- MIRIBEL for polymer characterization
Data Transparency
- Raw spectroscopic data deposition
- Synthesis protocols in detail
- Characterization data tables
- Statistical analysis code
- Computational input files
Ethics & Integrity
- IRB approval for human subjects
- IACUC approval for animal work
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- Funding source transparency
- Authorship contribution statements
Preprint Policy
- Preprints allowed on recognized servers
- Must disclose preprint DOI at submission
- No embargo on preprint posting
- Preprint does not affect consideration
- Final version must cite preprint
