Abstract: Electroreduction of Ni(Ⅱ) to metallic Ni in urea-NaBr melt at 373 K is irreversible in one step. Gd(Ⅲ) is not reduced to Gd alone, but can be inductively codeposited with Ni(Ⅱ). The amorphous Gd-Ni alloy films were obtained by potentiostatic electrolysis and galvanostatic electrolysis. With the cathode potential shift to negative direction and the increase of current density, the content of gadolinium in the alloy increases first, and then drops down gradually. The molar ratio of Gd(Ⅲ) to Ni(Ⅱ) and the time also influence the content of Gd. Crystalline GdNi₃ alloy was obtained after heat treatment of the deposit.

Key words:  urea-NaBr melt;  electroreduction;  inductive codeposition;  amorphous alloy