Magnetocaloric effect in a multicomponent laves phase intermetallic compound Gd0.2Tb0.2Dy0.2HO0.2Er0.2Al2

Abstract

A multicomponent Laves phase intermetallic compound Gd0.2Tb0.2Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Al2 has been synthesized and characterized by means of magnetization measurements. The Gd0.2Tb0.2Dy0.2Ho0.2Er0.2Al2 crystallizes in MgCu2-type cubic structure (space group Fd-3m) at 300 K. Magnetization data reveal a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at about 80 K (Tc). Paramagnetic susceptibility obeys Curie-Weiss law. Magnetization vs field (M-H) data at 2 K indicate saturation behaviour with negligible hysteresis. The saturation magnetization value at 2 K is ~8.6 μB/fu. Magnetocaloric effect has been estimated using M-H data obtained in the neighbourhood of Tc. Maximum isothermal magnetic entropy change is found to be ~ -11 Jkg-1K-1 at 72.5 K for a field change of 50 kOe and a large refrigeration capacity of about 750 J/kg is obtained. Observation of normal magnetocaloric effect and the saturated magnetic moment value at 2 K suggest long range ferromagnetic order in this multicomponent system.