Large reversible magnetocaloric effect due to a rather unstable antiferromagnetic ground state in Er4NiCd

摘要: Er4NiCd crystallizes with the Gd4RhIn type structure, space group F (4) over bar 3m, a=1333.3 pm. The nickel atoms have trigonal prismatic rare earth coordination. Condensation of NiEr6 prisms leads to a three-dimensional network which leaves voids that are filled by regular Cd-4 tetrahedra. shows Curie-Weiss behavior above 50 K T-N=5.9 K. At field strength 4 kOe metamagnetic step is visible, together positive paramagnetic Curie-temperature (7.5 K) indicative for rather unstable antiferromagnetic ground state. Therefore, large reversible magnetocaloric effect (MCE) near ordering temperature occurs and values maximum magnetic-entropy change -Delta S-M(max) reach 18.3 J kg(-1) K-1 5 T no obvious hysteresis loss around 17 corresponding RCP 595 relatively high as compared other MCE materials in range. These results indicate could be promising system magnetic refrigeration at temperatures below liquid H-2. (C) 2010 American Institute Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3518556] (Less)