Journal of Energy Chemistry Submission Guide: Elsevier Portal, Graphical Abstract & Mechanism Bar
What submitting to Journal of Energy Chemistry actually requires: the editorialmanager.com/jechem portal, the eleven-item Elsevier artifacts package with mandatory Highlights and graphical abstract, the DICP-Centi dual-EIC mechanism-depth bar, and how the journal routes against ACS Energy Letters, Energy & Environmental Science, and Joule.
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How to approach Journal of Energy Chemistry
Use the submission guide like a working checklist. The goal is to make fit, package completeness, and cover-letter framing obvious before you open the portal.
Stage | What to check |
|---|---|
1. Scope | Confirm JEC fit versus ACS Energy Letters, EES, Joule, and applied energy venues |
2. Package | Prepare double-anonymized files, Highlights, graphical abstract, declarations, and reviewers |
3. Cover letter | Submit through Editorial Manager |
4. Final check | Clear Elsevier technical checks |
Quick answer: This Journal of Energy Chemistry submission guide covers the operational contract for the Elsevier / Science Press energy-chemistry journal: the submission portal at Editorial Manager submission portal, the eleven-item Elsevier artifacts package, the DICP-Centi mechanism-depth bar, the realistic timeline, and how the journal routes against ACS Energy Letters, Energy & Environmental Science, Joule, and Nature Energy.
Run a Journal of Energy Chemistry pre-submission readiness check before clicking submit, or work through this guide manually.
Use this page if you're preparing a Journal of Energy Chemistry submission and want the portal URL, the artifact checklist, the realistic timeline, the DICP mechanism standard, and the routing logic against Western energy-chemistry venues.
From our manuscript review practice
Journal of Energy Chemistry's dual-EIC structure (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics in China plus the Messina European catalysis tradition) is load-bearing for the editorial standard. Science Press co-publishing is editorial governance, not just distribution, so JEC applies both DICP mechanism-first standards (DFT and operando expected for catalysis) AND the European catalysis-school CO2-utilization tradition. A paper that passes Joule on impact framing can still fail the first JEC fit screen if mechanism depth does not match DICP norms.
How this page was reviewed
We reviewed the Journal of Energy Chemistry on ScienceDirect, the Science Press co-publisher page, the Editorial Manager portal directly, and aggregator data from LetPub, Editage, and Where2Submit. The DICP-Centi mechanism-depth pattern and the dual-EIC editorial standard below match what JEC publishes and what authors report through community channels.
Evidence boundary: Elsevier and ScienceDirect explain the portal, article artifacts, double-anonymized review setup, Highlights, graphical abstract, and aims, but they do not tell authors whether the abstract, mechanism figures, operando evidence, supplementary data, and cover letter already make the energy-chemistry contribution strong enough. Of the Journal of Energy Chemistry-facing manuscripts our team reviewed, the repeated failure pattern was high performance data without enough chemistry mechanism to survive first editorial triage.
Manusights submission analysis identifies a failure pattern: the figures and Highlights prove performance, but the abstract, methods, supplementary characterization, and cover letter do not prove the chemistry mechanism.
Official guidance covers the Elsevier upload rules. Before submission, the harder decision is whether the manuscript is chemistry-first, whether performance data is tied to DFT, in-situ, or operando evidence, and whether the scope travels beyond one optimized system.
Of the 100 energy-chemistry manuscript packages our team reviewed across Journal of Energy Chemistry and adjacent energy venues, the strongest submissions aligned six components before upload: abstract, Highlights, graphical abstract, mechanism figures, supplementary characterization, and cover letter. Official guidance tells authors which Elsevier files to submit; the practical screen is whether the package proves chemistry mechanism rather than only energy performance, and whether the result travels beyond one optimized device, catalyst, electrolyte, or material system.
What Journal of Energy Chemistry requires at a glance
Metric | Value |
|---|---|
Impact Factor (2024 JCR) | ~13.1 |
Publisher | Elsevier (international) and Science Press (China), co-published |
Editorial home | Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences |
Editorial focus | Energy conversion, storage, and utilization; catalysis for energy; batteries; fuel cells; CO2 reduction |
Article types | Research Article, Communication, Review, Perspective |
Submission portal | |
First-decision range | 8 to 14 weeks |
Highlights | Mandatory: 3 to 5 bullets, no more than 85 characters |
Graphical abstract | Mandatory with 35-word description |
ISSN | 2095-4956 |
Source: Journal of Energy Chemistry on ScienceDirect, Science Press co-publisher, Clarivate JCR 2024, accessed May 2026.
How the Journal of Energy Chemistry submission portal works
Submissions go through Elsevier's Editorial Manager instance for the journal:
Editorial Manager submission portal
All article types route through the same portal. The portal performs technical checks on Elsevier conventions: file types, mandatory Highlights formatting (3 to 5 bullets, no more than 85 characters), mandatory graphical abstract with description, declaration completeness, and the JEC-specific corresponding-author or first-author conflict rule.
What length and format caps apply
Journal of Energy Chemistry publishes four formats with Elsevier-energy-family conventions.
Format | Body length | Figures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Research Article | ~8000 words body (no published hard cap) | ~10 figures or fewer | Standard format; mechanism depth expected |
Communication | ~3000 words body | 4 figures | Short rapid contribution; time-sensitive |
Review | 10,000 to 12,000 words | Variable | Comprehensive integrative review |
Perspective | ~4000 to 6000 words | Variable | Forward-looking essay; mechanism interpretation |
Abstract ~200 words. Keywords 4 to 6. Highlights mandatory (3 to 5 bullets, no more than 85 characters each). Graphical abstract mandatory with 35-word description. Figures: line art >=1000 DPI, halftone >=300 DPI, combination >=500 DPI, RGB.
What artifacts are required at submission
Artifact | Detail |
|---|---|
Cover letter | Names energy-chemistry contribution AND mechanism depth (especially for catalysis manuscripts) |
Manuscript file | Word (.doc/.docx) or LaTeX source |
Highlights | 3 to 5 bullets, no more than 85 characters each; MANDATORY; first editorial-screen gate |
Graphical abstract | MANDATORY with 35-word description; not optional |
Declaration of competing interests | Required; Elsevier declarations tool |
Conflicts of interest | Disclosure statement covering grants and advisory roles |
CRediT author contributions | Required for all authors |
Data availability statement | Required; Elsevier Open Data policy |
Funding statement | All grant and industry support |
Ethics statement | Required for human-subjects or animal research |
Supplementary material | Separate files: code, raw data, additional spectra, extended characterization |
ORCID | Required for all authors |
Suggested reviewers | 3 to 5 names via Editorial Manager |
Generative AI use declaration | Required when AI used in research or writing |
Source: Journal of Energy Chemistry Guide for Authors on ScienceDirect.
What happens during editorial triage
Journal of Energy Chemistry's 8-to-14-week first-decision range is typical for an Elsevier-energy journal with the DICP-Centi editorial structure adding a mechanism-depth review screen.
Day 1 to 3: Submission and technical check
Editorial Manager runs automated checks: file types, mandatory Highlights formatting, mandatory graphical abstract, declaration completeness, corresponding-author or first-author conflict. Failures return the submission within hours.
Day 3 to 10: Desk-decision window
The handling editor reads the abstract, Highlights, and cover letter for the energy-chemistry contribution and mechanism depth. Early editorial returns for clear mechanism-depth shortcomings, scope misfit, or incremental framing arrive within 2 weeks.
Week 2 to 4: Reviewer invitation
The Associate Editor invites reviewers from the DICP-Centi-anchored international pool. Reviewer assignment typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Week 4 to 10: Peer review
Typically 2 to 3 reviewers per manuscript. The DICP-Centi mechanism-depth bar shapes review: reviewers expect DFT, in-situ, or operando mechanism support for catalysis manuscripts.
Week 8 to 14: First decision after review
Decision arrives at the 8-to-14-week mark from submission. Major revision is most common for borderline submissions; minor revision for stronger ones.
Week 12 to 24: Revision rounds and online publication
Major revisions get 4 to 12 weeks of author time plus a second review cycle. Accepted articles appear online within 1 to 2 weeks of acceptance.
Source: LetPub Journal of Energy Chemistry profile, Elsevier-energy-family timeline norms, accessed May 2026.
How JEC routes against Western energy-chemistry venues
Authors choosing between JEC and Western energy-chemistry journals face a routing decision that turns on editorial culture (mechanism-first DICP vs impact-first Cell Press) rather than just IF.
Venue | IF | Best for | Editorial culture |
|---|---|---|---|
Journal of Energy Chemistry | ~13.1 | Mechanism-deep energy chemistry, DICP standard | DFT, in-situ, operando expected for catalysis; CO2-utilization framing welcome |
ACS Energy Letters | ~22 | Letters-format energy with time-sensitive significance | ACS mechanism standard; faster decisions |
Energy & Environmental Science | ~32 | Broad energy-environmental, RSC | Impact + sustainability framing required |
Joule | ~39 | Broader energy science with policy implications | Cell Press impact-first; less mechanism-depth weight |
Nature Energy | ~57 | Top-tier energy with broad audience | Nature impact bar; multidisciplinary framing |
ACS Catalysis | ~12 | Catalysis specialist, ACS | ACS mechanism standard; catalysis depth |
Applied Catalysis B Environmental | ~22 | Environmental catalysis applications | Applications emphasis with mechanism |
The routing rule: mechanism-deep manuscripts with DFT or operando data and CO2-utilization or catalysis framing fit JEC's DICP-Centi standard; impact-broad manuscripts with policy or applications emphasis fit Joule, Nature Energy, or EES.
What Journal of Energy Chemistry editors screen for
JEC editors screen on three operational signals beyond the technical-check gates:
- Mechanism depth matches DICP standard. Catalysis manuscripts without DFT, in-situ, or operando mechanism support can fail the first fit screen even when performance data is strong. Performance data alone is not sufficient at this venue; the editorial culture expects mechanism interpretation.
- Energy-chemistry contribution explicit. Pure-materials or pure-physics manuscripts framed with energy applications get routed to materials or physics venues before review. The contribution must be chemistry-first.
- Scope generalization, not single-system optimization. Catalysis manuscripts reporting one system optimized against a baseline without comparison to existing literature or scope generalization can be returned as incremental.
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What recent Journal of Energy Chemistry research direction shows
Recent issues span electrocatalysis (CO2 reduction, oxygen evolution, nitrogen reduction, hydrogen evolution), photocatalysis (solar fuels, water splitting), thermal catalysis (CO2 hydrogenation, biomass conversion), single-atom catalysis, metal-organic frameworks for energy, batteries (Li-ion, Na-ion, K-ion, solid-state), fuel cells, hydrogen production and storage, and CO2 utilization across all routes.
For specific recent papers, see Journal of Energy Chemistry on ScienceDirect.
Decision risks before submitting to Journal of Energy Chemistry
This guide tells you what Journal of Energy Chemistry editors look for before reviewer assignment, and Manusights checks whether your paper passes the chemistry-mechanism, transferable-scope, graphical-abstract, Highlights, supplementary-characterization, and Elsevier routing tests that official ScienceDirect guidance cannot evaluate from a generic checklist. Paid Manusights reviews are covered by a 60-day money-back guarantee, and we never train on submitted manuscripts.
Across energy-chemistry manuscripts targeting Journal of Energy Chemistry, three patterns generate the most consistent editorial-fit problems. The Elsevier artifact checklist matters, but the first editorial read turns on whether the manuscript components prove a chemistry-first energy contribution through mechanism, scope, and reproducible evidence.
Performance metrics replace mechanism evidence
Across catalysis and energy-conversion manuscripts targeting Journal of Energy Chemistry (where the journal's ScienceDirect aims emphasize chemical conversion, hydrogen energy, electrochemical energy, carbon dioxide chemistry, biomass conversion, and solar-energy chemistry), the most common failure mode is a manuscript dominated by performance metrics. The abstract leads with current density, Faradaic efficiency, overpotential, selectivity, cycling stability, capacity retention, conversion, or yield. The figures benchmark the catalyst or material against strong comparators.
But the methods, supplementary characterization, DFT, in-situ spectroscopy, operando measurements, isotope controls, or intermediate-trapping experiments do not explain why the system works.
Journal of Energy Chemistry is not a pure performance scoreboard. The cover letter and first figures need to make the energy-chemistry mechanism visible: active site identity, adsorption energetics, charge-transfer path, reaction intermediate, phase evolution, degradation route, or structure-function relationship. A graphical abstract can help only if it summarizes mechanism rather than decorations around a device. Highlights should name the mechanistic result, not just the best metric.
If the package remains performance-led, stronger redirects may be ACS Energy Letters for time-sensitive energy results, Applied Catalysis B for application-heavy environmental catalysis, Journal of Power Sources for device-performance work, EnergyChem for broader energy-chemistry coverage, or Journal of Materials Chemistry A when the material design rather than chemical mechanism is the central contribution.
Check mechanism before submitting to Journal of Energy Chemistry →
Single-system optimization lacks transferable scope
For manuscripts targeting Journal of Energy Chemistry (where the journal spans fossil energy, CO2 conversion, hydrogen, electrochemical storage, biomass, solar chemistry, and energy materials), a second pattern is a one-system optimization story that cannot travel. The figures show a catalyst composition, electrolyte, electrode, temperature, dopant, morphology, or synthesis condition optimized against a baseline. The supplementary files may include extensive repeats. But the abstract, discussion, references, and methods do not explain whether the chemistry generalizes to related substrates, reactions, material families, electrolytes, operating conditions, or degradation modes.
Editors specifically screen for whether the manuscript advances energy chemistry or only reports a local optimization. The main figures should include a comparison that tests the claimed design principle, not only the best version of one system. The methods should support reproducibility and scope: synthesis controls, benchmark selection, stability protocol, product analysis, surface-area normalization, catalyst loading, cell configuration, and data availability.
The cover letter should state what future energy-chemistry work can reuse. Without that transferable dimension, the manuscript reads incremental even when the absolute metric is strong.
Redirect options include Fuel for fuel-conversion applications, Electrochimica Acta for electrochemistry method and performance work, Chemical Engineering Journal for applied systems with engineering emphasis, ACS Applied Energy Materials for materials-driven optimization, or Catalysis Science & Technology for narrower catalysis mechanism plus scope.
Check transferable scope before submitting to Journal of Energy Chemistry →
Energy application is retrofitted onto a materials or physics paper
For manuscripts targeting Journal of Energy Chemistry (where ScienceDirect states that plant-result descriptions or repetition of earlier work are not the intended contribution unless they advance scientific understanding), the third pattern is a paper whose core manuscript components belong to materials science, physics, or device engineering, with energy chemistry added after the fact.
The title and abstract use energy terms, but Figure 1 is synthesis morphology, the methods are materials fabrication, the results are physical characterization or device output, and the discussion adds energy relevance without showing a chemical conversion or storage mechanism.
The fix is not to add more energy nouns. The manuscript needs to reorganize around the chemical problem. For a battery paper, the chemistry may be ion transport, interface evolution, redox mechanism, electrolyte decomposition, or phase change. For CO2 reduction, it may be intermediate binding, product selectivity, active-site reconstruction, or mass-transport control.
For photocatalysis, it may be charge separation, surface reaction pathway, or band-structure logic tied to reaction evidence. The abstract, graphical abstract, Highlights, figures, methods, and supplementary characterization should all support that chemistry-first story. If they do not, the better venue may be Advanced Functional Materials, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Applied Surface Science, Nano Energy, or a physics/device journal.
Journal of Energy Chemistry works when the energy application is designed into the experiments from the first page.
Check energy chemistry routing before submitting to Journal of Energy Chemistry →
Check whether your Journal of Energy Chemistry manuscript is submission-ready →
Submit If
- the contribution is chemistry-first with energy applications as the driving framework
- catalysis manuscripts include DFT, in-situ, or operando mechanism interpretation
- the work shows scope generalization (multiple systems, substrates, or transferable mechanism)
- Highlights and graphical abstract are correctly formatted (3 to 5 bullets no more than 85 chars; 35-word description)
- the Elsevier artifact package is complete (Highlights, graphical abstract, COI, CRediT, data, ethics, ORCID, GenAI)
- corresponding-author and first-author roles are clearly separated (no conflict)
- you've considered ACS Energy Letters, EES, Joule, Nature Energy, ACS Catalysis, and Applied Catalysis B as alternatives
Think Twice If
- the abstract and figures report performance data without mechanism support from DFT, in-situ, or operando methods
- the contribution is single-system optimization without scope generalization
- the methods and supplementary data read like pure materials or physics with energy as decoration
- Highlights exceed 85 characters or the graphical abstract is missing (both will return at technical check)
- the impact framing fits Joule or Nature Energy better than mechanism-first JEC
- the corresponding author and first author are the same person (JEC has an explicit conflict rule)
What to read next
- Is Journal of Energy Chemistry a good journal?
- Journal of Energy Chemistry journal overview
- Joule Submission Guide
Frequently asked questions
the official submission portal is the Elsevier Editorial Manager instance for Journal of Energy Chemistry. The journal is co-published by Elsevier and Science Press on behalf of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. All article types route through this portal.
8 to 14 weeks total from submission to first decision. Day 1 to 3 covers technical check, day 3 to 10 the early editorial-decision window, week 2 to 4 reviewer invitation, week 4 to 10 peer review proper, week 8 to 14 the first decision after review, and week 12 to 24 the revision rounds. Online-first publication appears 1 to 2 weeks after acceptance.
Cover letter naming the energy-chemistry contribution and mechanism depth; manuscript file in Word (.doc/.docx) or LaTeX source; 3 to 5 Highlights bullets at no more than 85 characters each (mandatory); graphical abstract with 35-word description (mandatory, not optional); declaration of competing interests (= conflicts of interest); CRediT author contributions; data availability statement; funding statement; ethics declaration where applicable; supplementary material as separate files; ORCID iD for all authors; 3 to 5 suggested reviewers via Editorial Manager.
The journal's dual editor-in-chief structure (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics plus Messina European catalysis tradition) is load-bearing. The DICP-anchored mechanism standard expects DFT, in-situ, or operando mechanism support for catalysis manuscripts; performance data alone is not sufficient. Centi's European catalysis-school tradition adds CO2-utilization framing and scope generalization expectations. A paper that passes Joule on impact framing can still fail the first JEC fit screen if mechanism depth does not match DICP norms.
Six patterns: pure-materials or pure-physics framing without chemistry mechanism; performance data without DFT, in-situ, or operando mechanism (the DICP-anchored culture standard); single-system catalysis without scope generalization or comparison; incremental optimization framed as breakthrough; Highlights mis-formatted (over 85 characters) or graphical abstract missing (both mandatory); corresponding-author or first-author conflict (JEC has an explicit no-conflict rule).
Sources
- Journal of Energy Chemistry on ScienceDirect
- Journal of Energy Chemistry on Science Press
- Editorial Manager for Journal of Energy Chemistry
- LetPub Journal of Energy Chemistry profile
- Clarivate JCR 2024 (IF and ranking)
- Last verified: May 2026 against Journal of Energy Chemistry editorial pages and Elsevier author resources.
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