Cu-Doping Induced Structural Transformation and Magnetocaloric Enhancement in CoCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles

Cu-Doping Induced Structural Transformation and Magnetocaloric Enhancement in CoCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanoparticles

This study systematically investigates the impact of Cu<sup>2+</sup> doping on the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of Cu<i><sub>x</sub></i>Co<sub>1−<i>x</i></sub>Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanopa...

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Main Authors:	Ming-Kang Ho, Yun-Tai Yu, Hsin-Hao Chiu, K. Manjunatha, Shih-Lung Yu, Bing-Li Lyu, Tsu-En Hsu, Heng-Chih Kuo, Shuan-Wei Yu, Wen-Chi Tu, Chiung-Yu Chang, Chia-Liang Cheng, H. Nagabhushana, Tsung-Te Lin, Yi-Ru Hsu, Meng-Chu Chen, Yue-Lin Huang, Sheng Yun Wu
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:	Nanomaterials
Subjects:	CoCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles Cu doping magnetocaloric effect (MCE) Curie temperature magnetic entropy change magnetic refrigeration
Online Access:	https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1093
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Summary:	This study systematically investigates the impact of Cu<sup>2+</sup> doping on the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of Cu<i><sub>x</sub></i>Co<sub>1−<i>x</i></sub>Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles synthesized via a solution combustion method. Cu incorporation up to <i>x</i> = 20% induces a progressive structural transformation from a cubic spinel to a trigonal corundum phase, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The doping process also leads to increased particle size, improved crystallinity, and reduced agglomeration. Magnetic measurements reveal a transition from hard to soft ferrimagnetic behavior with increasing Cu content, accompanied by a notable rise in the Curie temperature from 97.7 K (<i>x</i> = 0) to 140.2 K (<i>x</i> = 20%). The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is significantly enhanced at higher doping levels, with the 20% Cu-doped sample exhibiting a maximum magnetic entropy change (−Δ<i>S<sub>M</sub></i>) of 2.015 J/kg-K and a relative cooling power (RCP) of 58.87 J/kg under a 60 kOe field. Arrott plot analysis confirms that the magnetic phase transitions remain second-order in nature across all compositions. These results demonstrate that Cu doping is an effective strategy for tuning the magnetostructural response of CoCr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles, making them promising candidates for low-temperature magnetic refrigeration applications.
ISSN:	2079-4991