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

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 enhance the hydrogen permeation barrier (HPB) performance of ErCo2 particles by using electroless Cu plating followed by oxidation treatment to form a CuO layer with a thickness of a few micrometers. In experiments, ErCo2 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 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.