Nanoporous Pd1−xCox for hydrogen-intercalation magneto-ionics

Abstract

The use of hydrogen atoms for magneto-ionic applications has only been explored recently. Benefits of hydrogen compared to other ionic species for tuning magnetism are high switching speed and large changes in magnetic moment. Here, we test the influence of hydrogen intercalation on magnetism in nanoporous Pd(1−x)Cox, with Co being located in superparamagnetic clusters, building upon a previously suggested material system. Tailoring the Co concentration and distribution allows the magnitude of the magneto-electric effect to be influenced as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction of hydrogen with magnetic clusters. In situ magnetization measurements are conducted to directly observe the variation in magnetic moment upon hydrogen-charging in nanoporous Pd(1−x)Cox. Temperature-dependent magnetization curves show that interstitial hydrogen atoms lead to an increase in magnetic anisotropy energy, a coupling of individual Co-rich clusters, and the concomitant blocking of their magnetic moments. The large obtained magnetic switching effects upon hydrogen-charging at room temperature (αC,V > 400 Oe V−1; ΔM = 1.5 emu g−1) open up new possibilities to use magneto-ionic effects for real-life applications in magnetic devices.