Tuning the giant inverse magnetocaloric effect in Mn2-xCrxSb compounds

TL;DR

This study investigates Mn2-xCrxSb compounds, revealing their giant inverse magnetocaloric effects due to a first order magnetic phase transition, which can be tuned across a wide temperature range for potential cooling applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates the tunability of the inverse magnetocaloric effect in Mn2-xCrxSb compounds through compositional changes, highlighting their suitability for composite cooling materials.

Findings

Entropy change up to 7.5 J/kgK observed

Inverse magnetocaloric effect can be tuned over a wide temperature range

Composition-independent entropy change for various concentrations

Abstract

Structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Mn2-xCrxSb compounds have been studied. In these compounds a first order magnetic phase transition from the ferrimagnetic to the antiferromagnetic state occurs with decreasing temperature, giving rise to giant inverse magnetocaloric effects that can be tuned over a wide temperature interval through changes in substitution concentration. Entropy changes as high as 7.5 J/kgK have been observed, and a composition independent entropy change is obtained for several different concentrations/working temperatures, making these compounds suitable candidates for a composite working material.