The Applied Surface Science impact factor reflects how frequently the journal’s articles are cited, indicating its influence in surface science research. It is published annually by Clarivate Analytics in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
In this guide on impact factor journals we have provided the latest impact factor, CiteScore, acceptance rate, review timeline, and indexing status to help researchers plan their submissions effectively.
| Impact Metrics Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Metric | Latest Value |
| Impact Factor (JCR) | 6.9 |
| CiteScore | ~12.0 |
| SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) | ~1.9 |
| SNIP | ~ 1.6 |
The acceptance rate shows the percentage of submitted papers that get published, reflecting a journal’s selectivity.
Applied Surface Science (Elsevier) officially reports an acceptance rate of 16%, reflecting its selective peer-review process that emphasizes high research quality and clear scientific contribution..
Understanding the review process helps you plan your submission and set realistic expectations.
Time to first decision: ~7 days (initial editorial check)
Average review time: ~62 days
Submission to acceptance: ~70 days
Acceptance to publication: ~7 days
The journal moves fairly quickly, but many manuscripts are rejected early if they aren’t clearly written, well-structured, or aligned with its scope.
Applied Surface Science is a journal which offers authors the avenues for publication either in subscription-based or open-access publishing.
Open Access APC: Approximately USD 3,800
Subscription publications do not charge an APC.
Waivers or discounts of APCs may apply, depending on institutional agreements and eligibility of the country and/or support of funding, thus reducing the cost of open access for eligible authors.
Applied Surface Science is indexed in major databases, ensuring wide visibility and credibility:
Scopus
SCI Expanded (Web of Science)
SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)
SNIP
The journal focuses on research at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and materials science. Key subject areas include:
Condensed Matter Physics
Surface & Interface Science
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Coatings and Thin Films
Nanotechnology
Applied Surface Science publishes high-impact research on surfaces, materials, and interfaces with strong practical relevance.
Strong experimental or simulation results
Clear surface-level or interface applications
Novelty beyond incremental improvements
Well-characterized and structured data
Pure theory without practical application
Weak or incomplete characterization
Poor manuscript structure or unclear figures
This journal rewards clarity, rigor, and relevance, so submissions must be precise, impactful, and well-presented.
Many authors in Applied Surface Science have rejection experiences in the journal not necessarily because the work is of poor quality, but perhaps as a result of presentation problems.
It would be highly beneficial to have expert, journal-specific advice to improve the quality of your paper to meet high standards of the preferred journal and have a better chance of acceptance.
If you need guidance on Applied Surface Science submission and review standards, our team supports authors in preparing manuscripts that meet the journal’s expectations.