PCCP 25th anniversary collection

25 years of Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics – PCCP

The foundations of PCCP are steeped in history. After 25 years of excellence in physical chemistry, chemical physics and biophysical chemistry, we are proud to take a moment to celebrate.

PCCP was founded in 1999 as a collaboration between four national learned societies in chemistry and physical chemistry, representing Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and the UK. These societies made a significant commitment to the idea of a truly pan-European journal. This included the decision to cease publication of two historic national titles – Faraday Transactions and Berichte der Bunsengesellschaft für Physikalische Chemie – to provide the impetus for a new, forward-looking journal.

In the years that followed, other learned societies were invited to join the PCCP collaboration. Their involvement expanded our community and broadened the journal's reach, helping it to serve an increasingly global audience.

By 2023, ownership of the journal included societies from the founding countries, and now also Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Israel, Poland, Spain, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Canada and Austria. The PCCP Editorial Board is similarly international in scope – comprising 16 experts carefully selected by the 19 Owner Societies.

Our chemical communities continue to stand at the forefront of scientific advancement, pioneering research and innovative methodologies. Since our first issue, PCCP has published over 47 000 articles from authors based in more than 120 countries.

We are proud of how the journal has grown – in reputation, in geographical coverage, and in the breadth of topics explored. PCCP reflects the vibrant research taking place around the world in physical chemistry, chemical physics and biophysical chemistry.

We remain committed to a rigorous, efficient and fair peer review process, publishing robust scientific research that delivers meaningful new physical insights. The journal is proudly published by the Royal Society of Chemistry on a not-for-profit basis, on behalf of the 19 international Owner Societies.

Over the past 25 years, we have been privileged to receive the support of many outstanding scientists who have served on our Editorial and Advisory Boards. Their guidance and expertise have been invaluable to the journal's development and success.

To mark this anniversary, we are delighted to present a special collection of more than 100 insightful articles from past and present board members and members of the wider PCCP community.

We hope you enjoy this collection and thank you for your continued support of the journal. We look to the future with considerable optimism.

Personal reflections of Professor Anouk Rijs

My connection with PCCP began early in my career. As a young researcher, I often found myself reading PCCP papers by key scientists in my field. I was attracted to the high quality of the science as well as to the structure and style of the journal, which made the broad scientific topics both engaging and accessible.

One of my first direct interactions with PCCP was at a conference sponsored by the journal. I had the privilege of meeting the executive editor and was awarded with the PCCP poster prize at that conference. One of the prizes was a subscription to the print edition of PCCP (at a time when print journals were still distributed). I remember looking forward to receiving each issue, excited to explore the latest research in physical chemistry.

As I became more independent in my research, PCCP naturally became one of my favourite places to publish. A significant portion of my work has been published there, and I have always appreciated the journal's constructive peer review process, clear communication, and efficient editorial handling.

In 2016, I was invited to join the PCCP editorial board—an opportunity I accepted without hesitation. It has been a pleasure to contribute to my favourite physical chemistry journal, and I felt privileged to play a role in advancing its quality and impact.

My role as PCCP Editorial Board Chair

I was honoured to be elected by my fellow associate editors as chair of the PCCP editorial board. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the staff of the Royal Society of Chemistry, in-house publishing editors, and the editorial team. Together, we have worked to strengthen the journal's scientific direction, policies, and engagement with the community. Connecting with authors and readers at conferences, receiving their feedback, and acting on it to improve the journal has been a great experience.

Over the years, I have been particularly excited about the initiatives we’ve undertaken to enhance PCCP's visibility and impact. The journal's outreach through YouTube, Bluesky, and LinkedIn has expanded its reach beyond traditional audiences. We have embraced emerging topics like artificial intelligence in physical chemistry, reinforced our focus on biophysical chemistry, and expanded in areas such as nanoscience and electrochemistry. PCCP's broad coverage of physical chemistry is one of its greatest strengths, and I have enjoyed seeing this reflected in new article formats like Perspectives and Tutorial Reviews, as well as the implementation of transparent peer review.

One of my proudest moments was hosting the 25th-anniversary symposium at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Now, as we celebrate PCCP's 25th volume, I am thrilled to see this themed collection come together. It represents an incredible collection of contributions from authors, past and present editorial and advisory board members, and everyone who feels a strong connection to PCCP. It is a true reflection of the community that has supported the journal over the years.

Looking ahead, I am excited to see how PCCP continues to evolve, driving forward new scientific directions while maintaining its commitment to excellence. The future of PCCP is bright, and I am honoured to be part of its journey.

Feedback

If you, or your colleagues would like to share constructive feedback or would like to propose a themed collection or article, please do get in touch via PCCP-RSC@RSC.org.

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