Enhanced RCP and large inverse magnetocaloric effect of CoFe$_2$O$_4$ nanoparticles synthesized by auto-combustion method

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that CoFe$_2$O$_4$ nanoparticles synthesized via auto-combustion exhibit enhanced magnetocaloric effects, including a large inverse magnetocaloric response and high RCP, suitable for magnetic refrigeration and medical uses.

Contribution

The paper reports a novel synthesis method yielding CoFe$_2$O$_4$ nanoparticles with superior magnetocaloric properties and detailed characterization of their structural and magnetic behavior.

Findings

Achieved a magnetocaloric temperature change of 11.2 K.

Obtained a high RCP value of 687.56 J/kg.

Identified a Curie temperature at 785 K.

Abstract

This work focuses on the microstructure, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of CoFe$_2$O$_4$ (CFO) nanoparticles elaborated by sol-gel auto combustion method. The XRD investigation indicates that CFO is crystallized in a cubic spinel structure and the SEM micrograph shows a fine quasi-spherical with an average grain sizes of 160 nm. The temperature dependence of the Raman spectra reveals the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic (FM-PM) transition started from 723 K and the magnetization versus temperature measurements shows the Curie temperature located at T$_{\rm C}$ = 785 K. Large value of magnetocaloric temperature change of $\Delta$T =11.2 K with a high RCP of 687.56 J Kg$^{-1}$ are achieved indirectly via the Maxwell approach making our CFO nanopowder suitable candidate for both environmentally friendly magnetic refrigeration and medical applications at ambient temperature.