Journal of Materials Chemistry A 'Under Review': What Each Status Means
If your Journal of Materials Chemistry A submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Journal of Materials Chemistry A? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Journal of Materials Chemistry A, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: Journal of Materials Chemistry A has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 11.9, accepts about 25 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Journal of Materials Chemistry A uses RSC ScholarOne at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jmca. Editorial questions go to materialschemistry@rsc.org, referencing your manuscript ID.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A desk-rejects roughly 50 to 60 percent in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A Journal of Materials Chemistry A submission readiness check flags energy-materials significance, characterization completeness, and missing benchmarking that drive most desk rejections.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 56 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 50 to 60 percent rejected)
Journal of Materials Chemistry A editors evaluate energy-materials significance and characterization depth.
Day 0: ScholarOne upload
The mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jmca portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Two to three reviewers with materials-energy expertise.
Days 21 to 56: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence.
Days 56 to 84: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 84 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Journal of Materials Chemistry A, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on characterization completeness and benchmarking.
How Journal of Materials Chemistry A compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | JMCA | Energy & Environmental Science | ACS Energy Letters | Advanced Energy Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 50 to 60 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 60 to 70 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 4 to 8 weeks | 30 to 45 days first decision | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
Editorial bar | Energy-materials with broad significance | Top energy with sustainability framing | Energy letters-format short results | Top advanced energy materials |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your JMCA paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A submission readiness check.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Journal of Materials Chemistry A manuscript fit check flags characterization gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Journal of Materials Chemistry A manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Journal of Materials Chemistry A author guidance, RSC ScholarOne portal at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jmca, and editorial contact at materialschemistry@rsc.org.
The Journal of Materials Chemistry A reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What JMCA asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Energy-materials significance | Is the contribution at energy-materials impact bar? | Frame around energy-application performance |
Characterization | Are all relevant techniques reported? | Include comprehensive characterization in main text |
Benchmarking | Quantitative comparison to state-of-the-art? | Include benchmarking table |
Mechanism | Is the property-mechanism link established? | Pair experiment with computational or in-situ evidence |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce? | Provide detailed synthesis and characterization protocols |
In our pre-submission review work with Journal of Materials Chemistry A manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Energy-application framing thin. JMCA emphasizes energy applications.
Characterization gaps for property claims. Reviewers verify rigor.
Missing benchmarking. Quantitative comparison to literature systems expected.
Methodology note
This page was created from JMCA's public author guidance, RSC ScholarOne documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared RSC ScholarOne admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact materialschemistry@rsc.org, referencing the manuscript ID.
A handling editor is evaluating the paper. The journal typically invites two to three reviewers with materials-energy expertise.
Yes. The 4 to 8 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 5 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Journal of Materials Chemistry A, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
Same journal, next question
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Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.