Robust Magneto-Ionic Effect in Fe/FeOx Thin Films in Electrolytes With Different Cations

Zehner J, Vaerst O, Soldatov , Nielsch K, Schaefer R, Leistner K (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Book Volume: 58

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1109/TMAG.2021.3081862

Abstract

Electrochemical reactions offer an elegant way to influence the magnetic properties of nanoscaled materials by applying a small voltage. The present study focuses on such magneto-ionic changes in thin Fe/FeOx films induced by interfacial electrochemical reactions in liquid electrolytes. The films are prepared by inclined sputter deposition and exhibit a uniaxial in-plane anisotropy. LiOH, NaOH, and KOH in an aqueous solution are used as electrolytes. The changes in the hysteresis loops and the magnetic microstructure are observed by in-situ Kerr microscopy. Upon low voltage application, the electrochemical reduction reaction leads to the transformation of the FeOx-layer into the metallic Fe. Simultaneously, a strong decrease of coercivity and remanence together with an increase of domain size occurs. These observations are in line with a previously reported magnetic de-blocking mechanism caused by the variation of Néel wall interactions during the oxide-metal transformation. When applying the oxidation potential, the coercivity, remanence, and domain size are re-established. The changes occur in a similar manner for all studied electrolytes and can be repeatedly achieved for multiple voltage switching steps. This evidences that the electrochemical reaction mechanism responsible for the magneto-ionic switching is very robust and dictated by the anion (OH-) rather than the type of cation.

Involved external institutions

Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V. (IFW) / Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Zehner, J., Vaerst, O., Soldatov, ., Nielsch, K., Schaefer, R., & Leistner, K. (2022). Robust Magneto-Ionic Effect in Fe/FeOx Thin Films in Electrolytes With Different Cations. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 58(2). https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2021.3081862

MLA:

Zehner, J., et al. "Robust Magneto-Ionic Effect in Fe/FeOx Thin Films in Electrolytes With Different Cations." IEEE Transactions on Magnetics 58.2 (2022).

BibTeX: Download