Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in TbCo2-xFex compounds

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in TbCo2-xFex compounds are studied by DC magnetic measurement. With increasing content of Fe, the entropy changes decrease slightly, though the Curie temperature is tuned from 231 K （x = 0） to 303 K （x = 0.1）. Magnetic entropies of TbCo2 compound are calculated by using mean field approximation （MFA）. Results estimated by using Maxwell relation are consistent with that of MFA calculation. It is shown that the entropy changes are mainly derived from the magnetic entropy changes. The lattice has almost no contribution to the entropy change in the vicinity of phase transition.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects in NaZn13-type La（Fe, Al）13-based compounds

In this article,our recent progress concerning the effects of atomic substitution,magnetic field,and temperature on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the LaFe13-xAlx compounds are reviewed.With an increase of the aluminum content,the compounds exhibit successively an antiferromagnetic(AFM) state,a ferromagnetic(FM) state,and a mictomagnetic state.Furthermore,the AFM coupling of LaFe 13-xAlx can be converted to an FM one by substituting Si for Al,Co for Fe,and magnetic rare-earth R for La,or introducing interstitial C or H atoms.However,low doping levels lead to FM clusters embedded in an AFM matrix,and the resultant compounds can undergo,under appropriate applied fields,first an AFM-FM and then an FM-AFM phase transition while heated,with significant magnetic relaxation in the vicinity of the transition temperature.The Curie temperature of LaFe13-xAlx can be shifted to room temperature by choosing appropriate contents of Co,C,or H,and a strong magnetocaloric effect can be obtained around the transition temperature.For example,for the LaFe 11.5Al1.5C0.2H1.0 compound,the maximal entropy change reaches 13.8 J·kg-1 ·K-1 for a field change of 0-5 T,occurring around room temperature.It is 42% higher than that of Gd,and therefore,this compound is a promising room-temperature magnetic refrigerant.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects in Tb6Co1.67Si3 compound

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Tb₆Co_1.67Si₃ have been investigated by magnetization measurement. This compound is of a hexagonal Ce$_{6}$Ni$_{2}$Si$_{3}$-type structure with a saturation magnetization of 187\,emu/g at 5\,K and a reversible second-order magnetic transition at Curie temperature $T_{\rm C} = 186$\,K. A magnetic entropy change $\Delta S = 7$\,J\,$\cdot$\,kg$^{-1}$\,$\cdot$\,K$^{-1}$ is observed for a magnetic field change from 0 to 5\,T. A large value of refrigerant capacity (RC) is found to be 330\,J/kg for fields ranging from 0 to 5\,T. The large RC, the reversible magnetization around $T_{\rm C}$ and the easy fabrication make the Tb₆Co_1.67Si₃ compound a suitable candidate for magnetic refrigerants in a corresponding temperature range.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5Ge3-xGax

We report on the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5Ge3-xGax compounds with x=0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.6 and 0.9. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal Mn5Si3-type structure with space group P63/mcm and order ferromagnetically.The Curie temperature of these compounds decreases with increasing x, from 306K (x=0.1) to 274K (x=0.9).The average Mn magnetic moments increases with increasing Ga content,reaching a maximum value at x=0.6.The magnetic entropy changes in these compounds are determined from the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization using the thermodynamic Maxwell relation.The Ga substitution has two kinds of influence on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn5Ge3.One is that the magnitude of the magnetic entropy change decreases,the other is that the MCE peak becomes broadened.     

Magnetic and transport properties of CuCr1−x VxS2 compounds

A comparison of experimental and calculated effective magnetic moments shows that the sulfur in CuCr_1−x V_xS₂ compounds has two different oxidation states, S¹⁻ and S²⁻, while the vanadium has a higher degree of oxidation (V³⁺) than the chromium (Cr²⁺). A model is proposed to explain the reduction in the activation energy for defect formation in the Cu-sublattice and the rise in the Cu⁺-cation conductivity when chromium is replaced by vanadium. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1450–1451 (August 1999)     

Magnetic phases in quasi-binary (Fe1−x Cox)Ge2 intermetallic compounds

Magnetic neutron diffractometry revealed the existence in (Fe_1−x Co_x)Ge₂ solid solutions (x<0.5) with C16 structure of only two magnetic phases, namely, low-temperature (AFI) and high-temperature (AFII). A third magnetic phase, AFIII, suggested by earlier magnetic measurements, has not been found. The AFI and AFII phases have a commensurate and an incommensurate antiferromagnetic structure with the wave vectors k ₀=2π/a (1,0,0) and k=k ₀+δ k, respectively. The regions of their existence are shown in the magnetic phase diagram. Neutron diffraction measurements yielded the concentration dependence of the average magnetic moment per atom in the antiferromagnetic sublattice of a 3d metal, which, similarly to the dependence of the Néel point on x, was found to be nonlinear. An analysis of these dependences suggests that substitution of cobalt for iron is accompanied, on the one hand, by a decrease of the local spin density on the iron atoms in the nearest environment of a cobalt atom and, on the other hand, by an increase of the effective exchange integral between the nearest-neighbor iron atoms located along the tetragonal axis. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 283–289 (February 1999)     

Crystallography,magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in Gd4(BixSb1−x)3 alloys

A study of magnetic and thermal properties has been carried out on the alloys from the Gd₄(Bi_xSb_1−x)₃ series with x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1. All of the alloys are ferromagnetic below their respective Curie temperatures which vary from 266 K for x=0 to 332 K for x=1.0. The magnetocaloric effect calculated from the temperature and magnetic field dependencies of the magnetization and heat capacity is moderate when compared to that of other materials, which order in the same temperature range. Both the magnetic ordering and the magnetocaloric effect peak temperatures increase nearly linearly with the increasing Bi content. Experimental magnetocaloric effect data obtained from two different measurement techniques are in excellent agreement.     

Magnetic properties and Mössbauer studies in Y1−x Gd x Fe2

Alloys of Y_1???x Gd _x Fe₂B _y (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1; y = 0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) have been prepared and investigated for structural and magnetic properties. The compounds with x = 0 and 1 are found to form in single phase with C15-type cubic Laves phase structure, while those with x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 are observed to form with small quantities of secondary (Y,Gd)Fe₃ phase. The lattice parameters, Curie temperature and the average Fe hyperfine field are found to increase with increasing x. The Gd–Gd and Gd–Fe interactions are attributed to be the main reason for the enhancement of magnetic properties. Boron was found to stabilize the (Y,Gd)Fe₂ phase without affecting the magnetic properties.     

Magnetic properties of RNi1−xIn1+x (R=Gd–Er) compounds

AC and DC bulk magnetic measurements were performed for RNi_1−xIn_1+x (R=Gd–Er and x=0,0.1, 0.25) compounds. These compounds crystallize in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure. The lattice parameters a and c for the RNiIn series decrease linearly with increasing number of 4f electrons. For nonstoichiometric RNi_1−xIn_1+x additional indium atoms occupy the 2(c) crystallographic site and the a parameter increases while the c parameter decreases with increasing indium content. The stoichiometric samples show ferromagnetic behavior with the critical temperature changing from 96 K for R=Gd to 9 K for R=Er. In the nonstoichiometric RNi_1−xIn_1+x compounds increase in the indium content leads to decrease in the ferromagnetic critical temperatures and to a change of the antiferromagnetic ordering for x=0.25 in the case of R=Dy, Ho and Er.     

Magnetic properties and microstructure of Sm2Fe17−xTax compounds

The magnetic properties and microstructure of cast and annealed Sm₂Fe_17−xTa_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) alloys were investigated by means of microstructural, X-ray diffraction and thermomagnetic analysis. A process for obtaining the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase nearly free of iron in the as-cast state is described. The method consists of adding 5 at% of Ta to the melt. By this addition of Ta to the basic alloy, a two phase structure of the as-cast ingots consisting of Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase and a Pauli paramagnetic hexagonal Laves phase - TaFe₂, can be obtained. X-ray diffraction showed an increase of the lattice spacing dependent upon the tantalum concentration in the alloy, which indicated some solid solubility of Ta in the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase. Quantitative electron probe microanalysis confirmed the solid solubility of tantalum in the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase of up to 2.3 (± 0.5) at%. This resulted in an increase of the Curie temperature of the Sm₂Fe_17−x phase, which was determined by means of thermomagnetic analysis.     

Phase transitions and magnetocaloric effects in intermetallic compounds MnFeX（X=P,As,Si,Ge）

Since the discovery of giant magnetocaloric effect in MnFeP1-x As x compounds,much valuable work has been performed to develop and improve Fe2P-type transition-metal-based magnetic refrigerants.In this article,the recent progress of our studies on fundamental aspects of theoretical considerations and experimental techniques,effects of atomic substitution on the magnetism and magnetocalorics of Fe2P-type intermetallic compounds MnFeX(X=P,As,Ge,Si) is reviewed.Substituting Si(or Ge) for As leads to an As-free new magnetic material MnFeP1-xSi(Ge)x.These new materials show large magnetocaloric effects resembling MnFe(P,As) near room temperature.Some new physical phenomena,such as huge thermal hysteresis and ’virgin’ effect,were found in new materials.On the basis of Landau theory,a theoretical model was developed for studying the mechanism of phase transition in these materials.Our studies reveal that MnFe(P,Si) compound is a very promising material for room-temperature magnetic refrigeration and thermo-magnetic power generation.     

Magnetic transitions in LaFe13−x−yCoySix compounds

The magnetic properties of a set of LaFe_13?x?yCo_ySi_x compounds (x = 1.6 ? 2.6; y = 0, y = 1.0) have been investigated using magnetic measurements, thermal expansion, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and high resolution neutron powder diffraction methods over the temperature range 10–300 K. The natures of the magnetic transitions in these LaFe_13?x?yCo_ySi_x compounds have been determined. The Curie temperatures of LaFe_13?xSi_x were found to increase with Si content from T_C = 219(5) K for Si content x = 1.6 to T_C = 250(5) K for x = 2.6. Substitution of Co for Fe in LaFe_10.4Si_2.6 resulted in a further enhancement of the magnetic ordering temperature to T_C = 281(5) K for the LaFe_9.4CoSi_2.6 compound. The nature of the magnetic transition at the Curie temperature changes from first order for LaFe_11.4Si_1.6 to second order for LaFe_10.4Si_2.6 and LaFe_9.4CoSi_2.6. The temperature dependences of the mean magnetic hyperfine field values lead to T_C values in good agreement with analyses of the magnetic measurements. The magnetic entropy change, ?ΔS_M, has been determined from the magnetization curves as functions of temperature and magnetic field (ΔB = 0 ? 5 T) by applying the standard Maxwell relation. In the case of LaFe_12.4Si_1.6 for example, the magnetic entropy change around T_C is determined to be -ΔS_M ～ 14.5 J kg^?1 K^?1 for a magnetic field change Δ B = 0 ? 5 T.     

Magnetic properties of RPdIn (R=Gd–Er) compounds

AC susceptibility and DC magnetization measurements were performed for the RPdIn (R=Gd–Er) compounds both in the paramagnetic and in the ordered state. In opposite to GdPdIn, which is a ferromagnet (T_c=102 K), the other samples show a complex ferrimagnetic behavior with the additional transition at T_t<T_c. In the high-temperature phase (for T_t<T<T_c), a ferromagnetic interaction dominates, while in the low-temperature phase (for T⩽T_t) antiferromagnetic interactions with the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, especially strong for TbPdIn, come into play. The ordering temperatures are T_c=70, 34, 25 and 12.3 K for Tb-, Dy-, Ho- and ErPdIn respectively, while transition temperatures are T_t=6, 14 and 6 K for Tb-, Dy- and HoPdIn respectively. TbPdIn reveals an additional transition at 27 K connected with the intermediate ferrimagnetic phase. The critical fields for the magnetization process of the low-temperature phase are high (52 and 150 kOe for TbPdIn and 32 kOe for DyPdIn at T=4.2 K) yet these values decrease remarkably with increasing temperature. Results of the study are compared with magnetic and neutron diffraction data hitherto available. We state that irreversibility of the zero-field cooled–field cooled magnetization is not connected with the spin-glass phase claimed elsewhere.     

Magnetic properties of (GdxY1−x)Co2B2 compounds

Magnetic measurements were performed on the (Gd_xY_1−x)Co₂B₂ compounds, in the temperature range 2–800 K and fields up to 70 kOe. YCo₂B₂ is a paramagnet. The (Gd_xY_1−x)Co₂B₂ compounds with x≥0.2 shows a ferromagnetic type ordering. The saturation magnetization at 2 K coincides only with the contribution of gadolinium. The Curie temperatures are nearly linearly dependent on the composition. Above the Curie points, the thermal variations of the magnetic susceptibility can be described as a superposition of a temperature independent term ϰ₀ on a Curie-Weiss behavior. The Curie constants are determined by the contribution of Gd³⁺ ions only. The ϰ₀ values increase when the gadolinium content is greater. The observed properties are discussed in the wider framework of the magnetic behavior of cobalt in GdCo_xB_y compounds.     

Magnetotransport effects in paramagnetic Gd x Mn1 − x S

The electrical resistance of Gd _x Mn_{1 ? x} S solid solutions with x = 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 has been measured at magnetic field H = 0.8 T and at zero magnetic field within the 100 K < T < 550 K temperature range. The magnetoresistance peak is observed above room temperature. On heating, the composition with x = 0.2 exhibits the change of magnetoresistance sign from positive to negative and the magnetoresistance peak near the transition to the magnetically ordered state. The experimental data are interpreted in the framework of the model involving the orbital ordering of electrons and the arising electrical polarization leading to the changes in the spectral density of states for electrons in the vicinity of the chemical potential in the applied magnetic field.