Enhancing hydrogen permeation barrier performance of ErCo<sub>2</sub> magnetic refrigeration material via surface oxide layer formation.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41946710.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-026-71547-0.
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Abstract
The ErCo<sub>2</sub> intermetallic compound exhibits a significant magnetocaloric effect at approximately 32 K and has potential applications as a magnetic refrigeration material for hydrogen liquefaction. However, exposure to a hydrogen atmosphere may lead to hydride formation, which weakens the magnetocaloric effect. Thus, preventing hydrogen permeation into ErCo<sub>2</sub> is crucial. Herein, we enhance the hydrogen permeation barrier (HPB) performance of ErCo<sub>2</sub> particles by using electroless Cu plating followed by oxidation treatment to form a CuO layer with a thickness of a few micrometers. In experiments, ErCo<sub>2</sub> particles, with a 1.5- to 5-µm-thick CuO surface layer, exhibited a large magnetic entropy change of 24 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ even after exposure to a H<sub>2</sub> atmosphere at 1.27 MPa and 296 K for 7 d. Experimental analyses and first-principles calculations revealed the potential of CuO as an HPB material for magnetic refrigeration.