Pt-modified nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide: A powerful electrocatalyst for direct CO2 reduction to methanol

•Pt nanoparticles was decorated on nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide.•The nanocomposite was used as an effective catalyst for direct reduction of CO2 to methanol.•Applied potential of − 0.30 V and pH of 2.0 were the optimum variables for the reduction.•The Faradic efficiency of the methanol production was 41%.

Reduction of CO2 to useful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, oxalic acid, and methanol has recently attracted considerable attention because of its decisive roles in the climate change and energy cycle. Here, Pt@nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (Pt@rNGO) is introduced as a new catalyst effective in the direct production of methanol from the reduction of CO2 at various potentials and pH levels. The electrolytic reduction of CO2 in a CO2 saturated solution at a Pt@rNGO modified glassy carbon electrode is achieved under the optimum conditions of an applied potential of − 0.30 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and a pH equal to 2.0. The methanol thus produced is monitored by 13C NMR. The Faradic efficiency of the methanol production is found to be 41%. Results reveal that, compared to its counterparts used in previous studies, Pt@rNGO as a heterogeneous electrocatalyst requires a lower applied reduction potential and serves as a direct pathway for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol.

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