Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of a NdCo5 permanent magnet

Abstract

NdCo₅ was produced in a simple one-stage process by electro-deoxidising an inexpensive single phase solid oxide solution of Nd₂O₃ and Co₃O₄. The reduction was performed in molten CaCl₂ at 900 °C and the cell operated at 3.1 V at a cathodic current density of 170 mA cm⁻² for 12 hours. The magnetic properties of the product, measured using a vibrating magnetometer, closely matched that of pure and homogenous NdCo₅. The reaction mechanism at the cathode is elucidated from partially reduced samples using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and conductivity measurements.