Studies on the electrochemical preparation of MgCeCo alloy thin films on Cu substrates in urea–DMSO system

Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical behaviors of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) in 3.00 mol L− 1 urea–DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). The electrode processes of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) reducing on Pt electrodes were irreversible steps. The transfer coefficient of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) in 3.00 mol L− 1 urea–DMSO system was calculated as 0.07, 0.05 and 0.05 at 298.15 K, respectively. The diffusion coefficient of Mg(II), Ce(III) and Co(II) in 3.00 mol L− 1 urea–DMSO system was calculated as 2.27 × 10− 10, 1.77 × 10− 10 and 3.16 × 10− 10 m2 s− 1 at 298.15 K, respectively. The MgCeCo alloy thin films with smooth, uniform and metallic luster were obtained on Cu substrates by cyclic electrodeposition in 0.01 mol L− 1 Mg(ClO4)2–0.01 mol·L− 1 Ce(CH3SO3)3−0.01 mol L− 1 CoCl2–3.00 mol L− 1 urea–DMSO system. The potential sweep rate was found to be important with respect to the adhesion of the thin films.