Electrodeposition of SmCo alloy nanowires with a large length-diameter ratio from SmCl3–CoCl2–1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid without template

Abstract

SmCo alloy nanowires were first electrodeposited from SmCl₃–CoCl₂–1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIC) ionic liquid at constant potential without template. The effects of SmCl₃ concentration, potential, temperature and electrodeposition time on the diameter and morphology were examined. The SmCo alloy nanowires have shown an adjustable mole ratio of Sm and Co by changing the potential and ionic liquid composition. The smallest diameter was about 50–60 nm, far smaller than the diameter of Co nanowires electrodeposited from CoCl₂–EMIC, and the crystallinity of SmCo nanowires was improved by increasing SmCl₃ concentration. This finding has provided a meaningful method to electrodeposit nanowires with a smaller diameter and larger length-diameter ratio.