Magnetocaloric effect and magnetic phase transition in Ho3Co

Abstract

Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and magnetic phase transition of Ho3Co compound have been investigated. The two successive magnetic transitions: spin–reorientation transition at TSR = 8.5 K and antiferromagnetic (AFM)–paramagnetic transition at the Néel temperature TN = 21 K are observed. The Ho3Co compound undergoes a field-induced metamagnetic transition from AFM to ferromagnetic states below TN, which leads to a large MCE. The maximal value of magnetic entropy change (ΔSM) is found to be −14.5 J/kg K with a refrigerant capacity (RC) value of 440 J/kg around TN for a field change of 0–5 T. The large ΔSM as well as considerable RC in Ho3Co is very useful for applying it to the magnetic refrigeration in low-temperature ranges.