Electrodeposited Heusler Alloys-Based Nanowires for Shape Memory and Magnetocaloric Applications

Abstract

In this article, the downsizing of functional Heusler alloys is discussed, focusing on the published results dealing with Heusler alloy nanowires. The theoretical information inspired the fabrication of novel nanowires that are presented in the results section of the article. Three novel nanowires were fabricated with the compositions of Ni₆₆Fe₂₁Ga₁₃, Ni₅₈Fe₂₈In₁₄, and Ni₅₀Fe₃₁Sn₁₉. The Ni₆₆Fe₂₁Ga₁₃ nanowires were fabricated, aiming to improve the stoichiometry of previous functional Ni-Fe-Ga Heusler nanomaterials with a functional behavior above room temperature. They exhibit a phase transition at the temperature of ≈375 K, which results in a magnetocaloric response of |ΔS_M| ≈ 0.12 J·kg^-1·K^-1 at the magnetic field change of only μ₀ΔH = 1 T. Novel Heusler alloy Ni₅₈Fe₂₈In₁₄ nanowires, as well as Ni₅₀Fe₃₁Sn₁₉ nanowires, are analyzed for the first time, and their magnetic properties are discussed, introducing a simple electrochemical approach for the fabrication of nanodimensional alloys from mutually immiscible metals.

Keywords: Heusler alloy; electrodeposition; magnetocaloric effect; nanowires; shape memory.