Preparation of Gd2O3 nanoparticles from a new precursor and their catalytic activity for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO

The mononuclear Gd(III) complex, [Gd(L)3(H2O)5] (where L is alizarin yellow R (NaC13H8N3O5)), has been prepared in H2O under reflux condition. The Gd(III) complex has been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (UV–Vis and FT–IR). The Gd2O3 nanoparticles were prepared by the calcination of the Gd(III) complex in air at different temperatures up to 600 °C for 2 h. The calcination temperature was the key parameter which was changed for more investigation. The products were characterized by various methods such as FT–IR, X-ray diffraction analysis and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM). The electrochemical studies of the Gd(III) complex and Gd2O3 nanoparticles were performed in acetonitrile. The voltammograms in the absence and presence of carbon dioxide indicate that [Gd(L)3(H2O)5] and Gd2O3 nanoparticles can catalyze the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO.