Review of magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in the intermetallic compounds of rare earth with low boiling point metal(s)

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent advances in the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of rare earth intermetallic compounds with low boiling point metals, highlighting their potential for low-temperature magnetic refrigeration.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of RE compounds with Zn, Mg, and Cd, including their magnetic transitions and applications.

Findings

Some compounds exhibit promising magnetocaloric effects for low-temperature cooling.

Magnetic transition characteristics and origins of large MCE are discussed.

Potential applications in magnetic refrigeration are identified.

Abstract

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in many rare earth (RE) based intermetallic compounds has been extensively investigated during last two decades, not only due to their potential applications for magnetic refrigeration but also for better understanding of the fundamental problems of the materials. This paper reviews our recent progress of magnetic properties and MCE in some binary or ternary intermetallic compounds of RE with low boiling point metal(s) (Zn, Mg, and Cd). Some of them are exhibiting promising MCE properties which make them also attractive for low temperature magnetic refrigeration. Characteristics of the magnetic transition, origin of large MCE as well as the potential application of these compounds were thoroughly discussed. Additionally, a brief review of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties in the quaternary rare earth nickel boroncarbides RENi2B2C superconductors is also presented.