Chemistry World
Production of biofuels and esters - synthetic chemicals widely used for fragrances and fabrics - could potentially be greener, cheaper and more efficient thanks to researchers in the US who have shown how oxygen-coated gold nanoparticles can selectively oxidise a variety of alcohols and aldehydes.
Links
[1] http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/December/04120901.asp