Simultaneous CO2 Reduction and Dye (Crystal Violet) Removal Electrochemically on Sn and Zn Electrocatalysts Using Co3O4 Anode

Abstract

The simultaneous reduction of CO2 to product electrochemically (RCPE) was studied on Sn and Zn electrocatalysts and oxidation of dye (crystal violet (CV)) at Co3O4 electrocatalyst. The electrodes for anode and cathode were prepared by coating the electrocatalysts on the graphite surface. The experimental studies were done in aqueous 0.5 M NaHCO3 and KHCO3 electrolyte solutions with CV (10 ppm) at different applied voltages (2–3.8 V). The results in forming product and CV dye removal were shown in time intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min, respectively. However, HCOOH was the only reduced product formed from RCPE, along with removal of CV observed for the applied experimental conditions. High Faradaic efficiency of 45.33% for HCOOH at Zn electrocatalyst in KHCO3 solution was observed in reaction time of 5 min. Maximum dye removals for Sn and Zn electrocatalyst are reported to be 64.3 and 61% in NaHCO3 electrolyte solution, and similarly dye removals of 71.5 and 60.9% were obtained in KHCO3 electrolyte at...