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The influence of the size and oxidation state of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) as electrocatalysts for the electro-oxidation of cellulose was studied. Carbon paper electrodes modified with AuNPs were used as the electrocatalysts for the electro-oxidation of cellulose dissolved in 1.3 m NaOH. The size and oxidation state of the AuNPs were determined by using SEM, TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both the size and the oxidation state of the AuNPs were found to influence the electrocatalytic properties of the electrode, as studied by using cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The carbon paper electrodes decorated with AuNPs (less than 25 nm) that consist of metallic Au gave rise to a significantly higher electrocatalytic activity than a bare polycrystalline Au electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown and gold The cover picture illustrates the concept of using gold nanoparticle‐decorated carbon nanotubes to directly electrochemically oxidize alginate—the principle, difficult‐to‐degrade component of brown macroalgae (as shown in the background of the cover picture). In their Full Paper on p. 135 ff., L. Q. Hoa, E. Tamiya et al. present analyses that suggest a reaction pathway similar to the chemical oxidation process by strong oxidants that results in oxidized alginate usable for cell and tissue engineering. This straightforward approach, in contrast to currently employed alginate‐metabolizing microbial approaches, can enhance the energy extraction efficiency of the whole biomass‐to‐energy conversion process through a fuel cell system without requiring any external energy, while simultaneously producing high‐value chemicals, paving the way for the future production of energy and feedstock materials from inedible biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]