Giant magnetocaloric effect in Ho12Co7 compound

Abstract

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Ho12Co7 compound are investigated by magnetization and heat capacity measurement. The Ho12Co7 compound undergoes antiferromagnetic (AFM)-AFM transition at T1 = 9 K, AFM-ferromagnetic (FM) transition at T2 = 17 K, and FM-paramagnetic transition at TC = 30 K, with temperature increasing. There are two peaks on the magnetic entropy change (ΔSM) versus temperature curves and the maximal value of –ΔSM is found to be 19.2 J/kg K with the refrigerant capacity value of 554.4 J/kg under a field change from 0 to 5 T. The shape of the ΔSM-T curves obtained from heat capacity measurement is in accordance with that from magnetization measurement. The excellent magnetocaloric performance indicates the applicability of Ho12Co7 as an appropriate candidate for magnetic refrigerant in low temperature ranges.