Single-Crystal Growth and Room-Temperature Magnetocaloric Effect of X-Type Hexaferrite Sr₂Co₂Fe₂₈O₄₆

X-type hexaferrites have been receiving considerable attention due to their promising applications in many magnetic-electronic fields. However, the growth of single-crystal X-type hexaferrite is still a challenge. Herein we reported, for the first time, the preparation of single crystal X-type hexaferrite Sr₂Co₂Fe₂₈O₄₆ (Sr₂Co₂X) with high-quality and large size using floating-zone method with laser as the heating source. The crystals show rhombohedral symmetry with space group of R-3m (No. 166, a = 5.8935(1) Å and c = 83.7438(17) Å). Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ oxidation states were confirmed by the X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy. The prepared Sr₂Co₂X exhibits a spin reorientation transition from easy-cone to easy-axis at T₂ of 343 K and a ferrimagnetism-paramagnetism transition at Curie temperature (T_C) of ∼743 K. The spin reorientation transition was accompanied by magnetocaloric effect (MCE). Both conventional and inverse MCEs were observed near T₂ with a magnetic field applied along the c-axis. The maximum value of the magnetic entropy change along the c-axis was evaluated to be 1.1 J/kg·K for a magnetic field change of 5 T.