Nd_{2}Ni_{2}In is an antiferromagnet (T_{N}=8 K) with crystal structure equivalent to the Shastry-Sutherland lattice, possibly leading to the magnetic frustration. The AF coupling with moments in the basal plane can be driven by weak magnetic fields (<0.2 T) into the c-axis ferromagnet. The situation leads to large changes of magnetic entropy in fields below 1 T, which makes Nd_{2}Ni_{2}In a candidate for magnetocaloric applications. The entropy change is 9.6 J/(kg K) in fields of 1 T.
We report on magnetocaloric properties of the as-cast and annealed TbCo_2 with partial substitution of cobalt by silicon. The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and investigated by heat capacity measurements (8-300 K, in fields 0 T and 1 T). TbCo_2 undergoes a second-order type phase transition at T_C = 240 K, from paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic state;similar behavior was revealed in the Si-doped compounds. The temperature dependence of magnetic entropy and the corresponding magnetocaloric effect were derived for all studied samples. The influence of the heat treatment and Si doping on magnetocaloric properties will be discussed in context of the analogue case Er(Co_{1-x}Si_x)_2.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.