Enhancing hydrogen permeation barrier performance of ErCo2 magnetic refrigeration material via surface oxide layer formation

Ya Xu; Keiji Oyoshi; Haruka Yoshikawa; Hiroyuki Takeya; Hiroshi Amekura; Takafumi D. Yamamoto; Yoshitaka Matsushita; Alexei A. Belik; Miyoko Tanaka; Akiko T. Saito; Koji Kamiya; Yoshihiko Takeda

doi:10.1038/s41467-026-71547-0

Journal article Enhancing hydrogen permeation barrier performance of ErCo2 magnetic refrigeration material via surface oxide layer formation

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Ya Xu, Keiji Oyoshi, Haruka Yoshikawa, Hiroyuki Takeya, Hiroshi Amekura, Takafumi D. Yamamoto, Yoshitaka Matsushita, Alexei A. Belik, Miyoko Tanaka, Akiko T. Saito, Koji Kamiya, Yoshihiko Takeda. Enhancing hydrogen permeation barrier performance of ErCo2 magnetic refrigeration material via surface oxide layer formation. Nature Communications. 2026, 17 (1), 4952. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71547-0

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The ErCo2 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 ErCo2 is crucial. Herein, we present a cost effective and efficient method to enhance the hydrogen permeation barrier (HPB) performance of ErCo2 particles by using electroless Cu plating followed by the oxidation treatment to form a CuO layer with a thickness of a few micrometers. In experiments, ErCo2 particles with a 2 5 μm thick CuO surface layer exhibited a large magnetic entropy change value of 24 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ even after exposure to a H2 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.

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