Magnetocaloric effect at cryogenic temperature in gadolinium oxide nanotubes

Abstract

We have synthesized fascinating nano-structure of Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) using controlled template-assisted electrochemical deposition technique which showed interesting anisotropic magnetic behavior. The nanotubes of Gd2O3 with average diameter 200nm, length 10µm and wall thickness 20nm are constituted of nanoclusters with average diameter 7.5nm. The tubes are aligned and are almost uniform throughout their length. Detailed magnetic measurements of aligned Gd2O3 nanotubes have been performed for both parallel and perpendicular magnetic field orientations with respect to the axis of the Gd2O3 nanotube array. Significant differences in magnetization values have been observed between the parallel and perpendicular orientations. Experimental results indicate the superparamagnetic nature of the nanomaterial. Large magnetocaloric effect, associated with the sharp change in magnetization of the Gd2O3 nanotubes, has been observed in the cryogenic temperature regime that shows anisotropic behavior.