Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO by Gd(III) and Dy(III) complexes; and M2O3 nanoparticles (M = Gd and Dy)

Abstract

Two Gd(III) and Dy(III) complexes, [M(AyGG)₃(H₂O)₅] (AyGG = Alizarin yellow GG (NaC₁₃H₈N₃O₅)), have been prepared and characterized. The Gd₂O₃ and Dy₂O₃nanoparticles were prepared by the calcination of the Gd(III) and Dy(III) complexes in air at different temperatures. The nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The voltammograms in the absence and presence of CO₂ indicate that the Gd(III) and Dy(III) complexes and their nano-oxides can catalyze the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to CO. The results show that the Dy(III) complex has better electrocatalytic activity than other compounds.