Synthesis of Ce−Fe Intermetallic Compounds with Foam Structures via Electrochemical Deposition

Abstract

Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical behaviors of Fe(II) and Ce(III) in 3.00 mol/L urea−dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The electrode processes of Fe(II) and Ce(III) reducing on Pt electrodes were irreversible steps. Experimental results showed that Fe(II) in 3.00 mol/L urea−DMSO could induce the electrodeposition of Ce(III). The Ce−Fe intermetallic compounds with foam structures were successfully obtained by potentiostatic electrodeposition in the 0.01 mol/L Ce(CH 3 SO 3 ) 3 −0.01 mol/L FeCl 2 −3.00 mol/L urea−DMSO system. The concentrations of the salts and hydrogen ions have much effect on the pore number and wall structure of the foam. The effect of the potential of electrodeposition, Fe 2+ concentration, and the ratio of the concentrations of Ce 3+ to Fe 2+ in the deposition solution on the contents of Ce in Ce−Fe intermetallic compounds were investigated in our paper. The electrodeposited Ce−Fe intermetallic compounds were amorphous as proved by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD).