Large magnetic entropy change in Ni50Mn50−xInx Heusler alloys

Abstract

The magnetocaloric properties of polycrystalline Ni50Mn50−xInx (15⩽x⩽16) associated with the second order magnetic transition at the Curie temperature and the first order martensitic transition were studied using magnetization measurements. The refrigeration capacity and magnetic entropy change were found to depend on the In concentration and reach a maximum value of refrigeration capacity of 280J∕kg with a magnetic entropy change of −6.8J∕kgK at 318K for a magnetic field change of 5T. These values of the magnetocaloric parameters are comparable to that of the largest values reported near the second order transition of metallic magnets near room temperature.