Synthesis and characterization of Sm2Co17 using electrodeposition and reduction-diffusion process

•Combination of electrodeposition in an aqueous medium and a reduction-diffusion process used.•Sm2Co17 magnetic material synthesized by this combined process.•Morphology, phase transformation, and magnetic properties investigated.•R-D process carried out at 800 ℃, which was lower than the conventional temperature.•Mechanism of Sm2Co17 formation during the R-D process explained.