The
development of efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts
is extremely important and challenging, especially when it comes to
simultaneous electroreduction of CO2 (ECR CO2) and electro-oxidation of organic dyes. Herein, nanorods of Co3O4 that self-assemble into Co3O4 nanospheres were anchored on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene
oxide (Co3O4/N-RGO) frameworks via a hydrothermal method. Thorough physicochemical analysis revealed
the small-size crystallites, the inherence of the intersheet network,
and the large specific surface area of the Co3O4/N-RGO nanocomposites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis
showed that the N-doped RGO could be involved in the electronic modification
of Co atoms, resulting in more Co2+ active species on the
surface of the Co3O4/N-RGO nanocomposite. Electrochemical
studies revealed that the Co3O4/N-RGO bifunctional
electrocatalyst showed structural stability and low interface and
charge transfer resistance than that of the Co3O4 catalyst. It was found that paired Co3O4/N-RGO
symmetric electrodes possessed an efficient cathodic reduction of
CO2 with 195 μmol/(L cm2) yield of CH3OH and faradic efficiency (FE) of 74.8% and an anodic degradation
of methylene blue (MB) dye at −0.7 V versus RHE (a reversible hydrogen electrode) in 1.0 M KOH alkaline solution
over 60 min. A possible mechanism for bifunctional electrocatalytic
reduction of CO2 and oxidation of an MB dye is schematically
demonstrated. The research study highlights the potential use of Co3O4/N-RGO as a bifunctional electrocatalyst in the
reduction of atmospheric hazardous wastes and the production of value-added
chemicals.