What is the Applied Surface Science JIF?

The JIF is 6.9 (2024 JCR). See the full year-by-year trend and category ranking in our Applied Surface Science JIF analysis.

What is the acceptance rate of Applied Surface Science?

Manusights currently treats ~40-50% as an estimate for Applied Surface Science, not an official journal-published rate. One common reason papers fail is characterizing surface without demonstrating functional property improvement.

How long does Applied Surface Science take to review?

Applied Surface Science typically takes ~100-140 days median, but timing varies by editor, field, and reviewer availability. Expect an editorial screen first, then manuscript preparation, then peer review.

All Journal Guides

Journal Guide

Publishing in Applied Surface Science: Fit, Timeline & Submission Guide

Q: Is Applied Surface Science a good journal?

Applied Surface Science is a strong target if present surface engineering improving material performance. It is a weaker fit if detailed surface analysis alone is insufficient.

Q: Is Applied Surface Science peer reviewed?

Yes, Applied Surface Science is fully peer reviewed. All submissions undergo rigorous peer review by 2-3 surface science experts assess surface characterization rigor, mechanistic understanding, and practical applicability. Reviewers check XPS and microscopy data carefully. First decision 100-140 days..

Surface and interface research tied to materials performance and applications

Should you submit here?

Submit if present surface engineering improving material performance. Be careful if detailed surface analysis alone is insufficient.

IF 6.9 · ~40-50% accepted · ~100-140 days median

Best fit if

Present surface engineering improving material performance

Not ideal if

Detailed surface analysis alone is insufficient

Also compare

Scienceand Advanced Materials

6.9

Impact Factor (2024)

~40-50%

Acceptance Rate

~100-140 days median

Time to First Decision

Submission guide

Applied Surface Science Submission Guide: Format, Scope & Editor Tips

Applied Surface Science editors want strong surface characterization tied to a real functional outcome.

Journal assessment

Is Applied Surface Science a Good Journal? Impact, Scope, and Fit

Applied Surface Science (IF 6.9, Elsevier) is a mid-tier applied materials journal strongest for surface characterization with functional consequence. Here's how it compares and who should submit.

Desk rejection

How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Applied Surface Science

Avoid desk rejection at Applied Surface Science with real surface logic, stronger characterization, and clearer scope fit.

What Applied Surface Science Publishes

Applied Surface Science published by Elsevier is a major journal for surface science and surface chemistry research. With JIF 6.9 and Q1 ranking in Materials Science & Surface Chemistry, ASS emphasizes research on surface characterization, modification, and applications. The journal publishes original research on surface phenomena, surface reactions, interface engineering, and nanotechnology. Critically: ASS values surfaces with demonstrated functional importance. Pure surface characterization without application context is less competitive. The journal seeks papers showing how surface engineering enables improved material properties or new applications.

Surface characterization: XPS, AFM, STM, electron microscopy of surfaces
Surface modifications: chemical coating, plasma treatment, ion implantation
Thin film deposition: sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, electrodeposition
Catalytic surfaces: heterogeneous catalysis, surface active sites
Adhesion and friction: surface interactions, wetting, lubrication
Corrosion and protection: surface corrosion, protective coatings
Biointerfaces: cell-surface interactions, biomaterial surfaces
Nanostructured surfaces: nanowires, nanoparticles, surface nanostructures

Editor Insight

“Applied Surface Science publishes research advancing surface engineering and surface science. We seek papers combining rigorous surface characterization with demonstrated functional improvements or novel applications. The best papers explain how surface chemistry or nanostructure enables superior performance.”

What Applied Surface Science Editors Look For

Surface modification or characterization with demonstrated functional advantage

Present surface engineering improving material performance. Enhanced catalytic activity? Improved corrosion resistance? Better biocompatibility? Demonstrate clear functional benefit of surface engineering.

Complete surface characterization using complementary techniques

Use multiple techniques: XPS for chemistry, AFM/SEM for morphology, spectroscopy for optical properties. Comprehensive characterization demonstrates thoroughness. Single-technique surface analysis is weak.

Mechanistic understanding of surface-property relationships

Explain how surface chemistry or nanostructure drives functionality. Why does this catalyst work? How does surface modification enhance properties? Surface-function mechanism strengthens papers.

Practical application demonstration with surface-relevant testing

Test surface performance in realistic contexts. Catalytic surfaces in actual reactors, protective coatings in corrosive environments, biointerfaces with cell cultures. Application validation matters.

Scalability and manufacturing feasibility for surface modification

Describe surface treatment scalability. Can it be applied to large-area surfaces? What are manufacturing requirements? Cost? Scalable surface modifications have greater impact.

Why Papers Get Rejected

These patterns appear repeatedly in manuscripts that don't make it past Applied Surface Science's editorial review:

Characterizing surface without demonstrating functional property improvement

Detailed surface analysis alone is insufficient. ASS expects functional significance. Show how surface modification improves performance, activity, or properties.

Single analytical technique without complementary surface characterization

Comprehensive surface understanding requires multiple techniques. XPS shows chemistry, microscopy shows morphology, spectroscopy shows optical properties. Single-method analysis is incomplete.

Surface modifications tested only in idealized conditions

Real surfaces work in harsh environments. Test catalytic surfaces in actual reactors (not just model substrates), protective coatings in true corrosive conditions. Realistic testing builds credibility.

Lack of mechanistic explanation for observed surface effects

Papers reporting surface properties without explaining mechanisms are less impactful. Connect observed effects to surface atomic structure, chemistry, or nanofeatures.

Surface modifications irreproducible or requiring exotic conditions

Practical surface modifications must be reproducible. Treatments requiring vacuum, extreme temperature, or rare materials have limited practical impact.

Does your manuscript avoid these patterns?

The Free Readiness Scan reads your full manuscript against Applied Surface Science's criteria and flags the specific issues most likely to cause rejection.

Run Free Readiness Scan →

Insider Tips from Applied Surface Science Authors

Nanostructured surfaces and plasmonic effects have strong interest

Surfaces with nanoscale features (nanowires, nanoparticles, plasmonic structures) showing enhanced optical or catalytic properties receive strong editorial interest.

Biointerfaces and cell-material interactions valued

Surface modifications affecting cell behavior (adhesion, differentiation, immune response) for biomedical applications increasingly competitive.

Environmental remediation surfaces (photocatalytic, adsorptive) trending

Surfaces for pollutant degradation or removal, CO2 capture, or water purification increasingly valued as environmental sustainability grows.

In situ and operando surface analysis revealing reaction mechanisms

Studying surfaces during actual catalytic reaction or electrochemistry (operando spectroscopy) provides unique mechanistic insight highly valued.

Surface modification increasing efficiency of existing technologies

Papers showing how surface engineering improves catalytic efficiency, electrochemical performance, or corrosion resistance of commercially relevant systems have high practical impact.

The Applied Surface Science Submission Process

Manuscript preparation

Prep

6,000-9,000 words with 6-8 figures. Include surface modification procedure, complete characterization (XPS, microscopy, spectroscopy), functional property testing in realistic conditions, and mechanistic discussion. Supporting: detailed characterization data, surface images.

Submission via Elsevier system

Day 0

Submit at https://www.editorialmanager.com/ASS/. Required: manuscript emphasizing surface novelty and functional significance, figures showing surface characterization and property improvement, cover letter highlighting functional advantages.

Editorial assessment

1-2 weeks

Editor assesses surface engineering novelty, characterization completeness, and functional significance. Papers without functional demonstration face lower priority. Moderate desk rejection ~25-35%.

Peer review

100-140 days

2-3 surface science experts assess surface characterization rigor, mechanistic understanding, and practical applicability. Reviewers check XPS and microscopy data carefully. First decision 100-140 days.

Revision and publication

Revision: 4-8 weeks

Revisions often request additional surface characterization or clarification of surface-property mechanism. Publication 2-4 weeks after acceptance.

Applied Surface Science by the Numbers

2024 Impact Factor	6.3
5-Year Impact Factor	6.8
Acceptance rate	~40-50%
Desk rejection rate	~25-35%
Median first decision	~120 days
Open access option	$2,900 USD
Publisher	Elsevier
Founded	1975

Before you submit

Applied Surface Science accepts a small fraction of submissions. Make your attempt count.

Start with the Free Readiness Scan. Unlock the Full AI Diagnostic for $29. If you need deeper scientific feedback, choose Expert Review. The full report is calibrated to Applied Surface Science.

Run Free Readiness Scan See a sample report

Article Types

Research Article

6,000-9,000 words

Surface modification with characterization and application

Review

9,000-12,000 words

Comprehensive surface science topic review

Short Communication

3,000-4,500 words

Brief surface science finding

Landmark Applied Surface Science Papers

Papers that defined fields and changed science:

Surface catalysis fundamentals (Langmuir, 1920s-present) - chemical reactions at surfaces
Thin film deposition techniques (various) - modern materials manufacturing
Nanoparticle surface chemistry (2000s+) - size-dependent surface effects
Plasmonic surfaces for light manipulation (2000s+) - optical properties from nanostructures
Biointerface engineering (2010s+) - surfaces controlling cellular behavior

Preparing a Applied Surface Science Submission?

Get pre-submission feedback from reviewers who've published in Applied Surface Science and know exactly what editors look for.

Run Free Readiness Scan

Need expert depth? See Expert Review Options

NDA-protected

Confidential

Primary Fields

Surface CharacterizationCatalytic SurfacesThin FilmsNanostructured SurfacesBiointerfacesProtective Coatings

More Guides for This Journal

Ready to submit to Applied Surface Science?

A desk rejection costs months. Get expert feedback before you submit, from scientists who know exactly what Applied Surface Science editors look for.

Avoid Desk Rejection

Get expert pre-submission review before you submit to Applied Surface Science. 3-7 day turnaround.

Manuscript Rejected?

Expert revision help to strengthen your manuscript and resubmit with confidence.

Reviewer Response Help

Get expert guidance crafting your response to Applied Surface Science reviewers.

Reference library

Compare Applied Surface Science with the broader publishing context

This journal guide is the best starting point for Applied Surface Science. The reference library covers the surrounding questions authors usually ask next: whether the package is ready, what drives desk rejection, how neighboring journals compare, and what the submission constraints look like across the field.

Open the reference library →

Checklist system / operational asset

Elite Submission Checklist

A flagship pre-submission checklist that turns journal-fit, desk-reject, and package-quality lessons into one operational final-pass audit.

Flagship report / decision support

Desk Rejection Report

A canonical desk-rejection report that organizes the most common editorial failure modes, what they look like, and how to prevent them.

Dataset / reference hub

Journal Intelligence Dataset

A canonical journal dataset that combines selectivity posture, review timing, submission requirements, and Manusights fit signals in one citeable reference asset.

Dataset / reference guide

Peer Review Timelines by Journal

Reference-grade journal timeline data that authors, labs, and writing centers can cite when discussing realistic review timing.