Magnetocaloric effect and transition order of Mn5Ge3 ribbons

Single phase Mn₅Ge₃ ribbons were successfully synthesized by single roller melt-spinning method followed by an annealing procedure at 800 °C for 1 h. The magnetocaloric effect and transition order were investigated by dc magnetization measurement. A maximum entropy change of 4.92 J/kg K and a refrigerant capacity of 201.3 J/kg were observed at an external field change of 30 kOe. The Banerjee criterion was adopted to discriminate the order of the transition, indicating a second order transition. The calculated entropy changes were also obtained by Landau theory, which are in agreement with the experimental values at the temperature region above the Curie temperature. This phenomena implies a potential transition of the magnetic interaction in the vicinity of the Curie temperature. Universal behavior was also indicated in that all of the experimental entropy change curves collapse into one universal curve, which is consistent with the Banerjee criterion.