Nano Letters Formatting Requirements: Complete Author Guide

Nano Letters follows ACS abstract conventions.

• Word limit: 200 words maximum
• Structure: Unstructured single paragraph
• Citations: Not allowed
• Keywords: Not required by the journal; ACS handles subject indexing
• TOC entry: The abstract text also serves as the TOC entry (accompanied by the TOC graphic)

The abstract should be self-contained and describe the main finding with specific quantitative outcomes. For Nano Letters, the abstract often determines whether a reader opens the full paper. State what you made or measured, what you found, and why it matters, all within 200 words.

ACS journals treat the abstract as a standalone document. Abbreviations defined in the abstract must be redefined in the body text. Don't reference figures, tables, or equations in the abstract.

Figures are the visual backbone of Nano Letters papers. The journal is image-rich, and high-quality figures are expected.

Figure specifications:

There's no formal figure cap, but the 4,000-word limit constrains space. Most Nano Letters papers include 4 to 5 figures in the main text, with additional figures in the Supporting Information. Multi-panel figures are standard. A single figure with panels (a) through (f) is typical for nanoscience papers that combine synthesis, characterization, and performance data.

TOC graphic (mandatory):

The TOC graphic should visually communicate the essence of the paper at a glance. For Nano Letters, effective TOC graphics typically show a nanostructure image alongside a key data plot or a schematic of the phenomenon. Avoid text-heavy graphics. The graphic will be displayed at small sizes in the table of contents, so clarity at reduced dimensions is essential.

Color is free at ACS. Use it. Nano Letters papers without color figures are rare. TEM/SEM micrographs, optical spectra, device curves, and schematics all benefit from color.

Nano Letters uses the standard ACS citation style.

In-text citations: Superscript numbers: ^1, ^2, ^1,2, ^1-3. Sequential numbering based on first appearance.

Reference list format:

(1) Author, A. B.; Author, C. D.; Author, E. F. Title of Article. J. Abbrev. Name Year, Volume, Pages.

Key formatting details:

• Author names: Surname, initials (e.g., "Smith, J. K.")
• Semicolons between authors
• Article titles included, in title case
• Journal names abbreviated per CAS Source Index (CASSI) standards
• Year in bold, followed by volume in italic
• Page range or article number
• DOI at the end: DOI: 10.xxxx/xxxxx

ACS style is well-supported by citation managers. Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote all have ACS styles. The main thing to verify is that journal abbreviations follow CASSI conventions, not PubMed or ISO 4 abbreviations.

Reference counts for Nano Letters papers typically range from 25 to 40. There's no formal cap, but the letter format naturally constrains citations. Cite the most relevant work directly and move extended literature surveys to the Supporting Information if needed.

Supporting Information (SI) is functionally mandatory for Nano Letters papers, even though it's not formally required.

What goes in the SI:

• Detailed experimental procedures (synthesis, fabrication, measurement protocols)
• Full characterization data (TEM, SEM, XRD, XPS, NMR, FTIR)
• Control experiments and additional data
• Computational details (DFT methods, parameters, convergence tests)
• Additional figures and tables
• Videos (device operation, dynamic processes)

The SI is submitted as a separate PDF (plus video files if applicable) through the ACS Paragon Plus submission system. It goes through full peer review. Reviewers frequently request additional SI during revision.

ACS requires a brief description of the SI in the main text, typically one or two sentences before the references: "Supporting Information: Additional characterization data, experimental details, and Figures S1-S10."

Data deposition: For crystallographic data, deposit CIF files with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC). For genomic or proteomic data, use appropriate public repositories. ACS doesn't have its own data repository but encourages deposition in Figshare or institutional repositories.

The SI for Nano Letters papers is often substantial, running 15-30 pages for a thorough experimental study. This is normal and expected. Reviewers want to see the data even if it doesn't fit in the main text.

These are Nano Letters-specific details experienced authors know:

TOC graphic is mandatory and scrutinized. The editorial office checks for the TOC graphic at submission and returns papers without one. Beyond compliance, the TOC graphic affects visibility. A well-designed graphic can increase click-through rates from the table of contents significantly.

No structured sections required. Nano Letters doesn't mandate specific section headings (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion). Many authors use no section headings at all, writing the paper as a continuous narrative. Others use brief descriptive headings. The choice is yours, but the continuous narrative style is more traditional for this journal.

Associated Content section. Before the references, include an "Associated Content" section that describes the Supporting Information contents. Also include an "Author Information" section with corresponding author email, ORCID iDs, author contributions, and conflict of interest disclosures.

ORCID iDs. ACS requires the corresponding author to have an ORCID iD linked to their ACS Paragon Plus account. Co-authors are strongly encouraged to link their ORCIDs.

Safety information. If your work involves hazardous materials, high-pressure systems, or other safety-relevant procedures, ACS requires a safety statement in the main text. This is increasingly enforced for nanomaterials synthesis involving toxic precursors.

Cover art suggestions. Nano Letters occasionally features article images on the journal cover. If you believe your work has visually compelling imagery, you can submit a cover suggestion alongside your manuscript.

Preprint policy. ACS allows preprints (e.g., on ChemRxiv or arXiv) without restriction. This is worth knowing because some competing journals still have limitations.

These get flagged in Nano Letters submissions:

1. TOC graphic wrong dimensions. The 3.25 x 1.75 inch specification is precise. Graphics with wrong aspect ratios get returned. Create at exactly the required dimensions.

1. SI not cited in text. Every SI figure and table must be referenced in the main text. Orphaned SI content will be flagged.

1. Missing characterization data. For papers reporting new nanomaterials, reviewers expect full characterization covering size distribution, crystal structure, composition analysis, and stability data. Missing any of these is a common revision trigger.

1. Safety statement absent. If your synthesis uses HF, cadmium compounds, lead compounds, or other notably hazardous chemicals, a safety statement is required.

1. Abstract exceeding 200 words. The ACS Paragon Plus system will flag abstracts over the limit. Edit before submission.

In our pre-submission review work with manuscripts targeting Nano Letters, four patterns generate the most consistent desk-rejection outcomes.

Letter format requirements not met: manuscript exceeds the 4-page limit or misses the TOC graphic. ACS Nano Letters is a Letter-format journal. The primary article type must not exceed 4 printed pages, including figures, tables, and references. Manuscripts that arrive at 6 to 8 pages as formatted are flagged for immediate reformatting. Additionally, all Nano Letters submissions require a Table of Contents (TOC) graphic, 3.25 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall, summarizing the key finding visually. Missing the TOC graphic triggers a correction before review.

Novelty insufficient for the letter format: incremental nanoparticle synthesis without property-mechanism coupling. ACS Nano Letters editors evaluate whether each submission advances the fundamental understanding of nanoscale phenomena, not merely reports a new nanoparticle variant. Submissions where synthesis of a new material variant is the primary contribution, without demonstrating an unexpected property or mechanistic advance relative to existing systems, are declined at desk. The journal's author guidelines state that papers must "make important contributions to fundamental nanoscience."

ACS reference format errors: superscript numbering versus numbered footnotes, and non-CAS-abbreviated journal titles. Nano Letters uses ACS reference style with superscript numbered citations. A common formatting error is using square bracket numbering [1] instead of superscript, or using full journal names rather than Chemical Abstracts Service abbreviations. Both errors require a full reference reformatting, and editors check reference style before assigning reviewers.

Supporting Information that repeats main text figures rather than providing independent characterization data. Nano Letters reviewers expect the Supporting Information to contain the full characterization data that supports but does not duplicate the main text: NMR spectra, XRD patterns, TEM images with statistical analysis, and control experiments. Submissions where the SI reproduces main text figures with minor modification, or where critical characterization supporting the main claim is absent from both the main text and SI, are flagged for data insufficiency.

A Nano Letters formatting and readiness check evaluates manuscript structure, letter-format compliance, and characterization completeness against these desk-rejection patterns before you submit.