Electrochemical preparation La–Co magnetic alloy films from dimethylsulfoxide

The electrochemical behavior of La3+ ion is investigated on a Pt electrode in the 2.5 × 10−3 mol L−1 La(ClO4)3–7.5 × 10−2 mol L−1 LiClO4–dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) system. The experimental results indicate that the reduction of La3+ ion is irreversible. Some electrochemical parameters are measured. The pulse deposition technique is used to prepare La–Co alloy films. The surfaces of La–Co alloy films are uniform, compact and showed a metallic luster. The grain sizes of La–Co alloy observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) are about 100 nm. La–Co alloy film is amorphous as proven by the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The magnetic properties of the amorphous La–Co alloy film are measured.