The 2021 Emerging Investigators themed issues of JMCB gather together some of the best research being conducted by scientists in the early stages of their independent careers. Each contributor was recommended as they are carrying out work with the potential to influence future directions in materials chemistry. Congratulations to all of the researchers featured; we hope you enjoy reading this issue.

Prof. Kelong Fan was recommanded as Emerging Investigator of JMCB on the basis of his series works on nanozymes design and their biomedical applications.

Among this special issue, our review paper entitled "Superoxide dismutase nanozymes: an emerging star for anti-oxidation", was selected as JMCB Hot papers and inside Front Cover.