Magnetocaloric effects in <b> <i>RTX</i> </b> intermetallic compounds ( <b> <i>R</i> </b> = Gd–Tm, <b> <i>T</i> </b> = Fe–Cu and Pd, <b> <i>X</i> </b> = Al and Si)

Abstract

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of RTSi and RT Al systems with R = Gd–Tm, T = Fe–Cu and Pd, which have been widely investigated in recent years, is reviewed. It is found that these RTX compounds exhibit various crystal structures and magnetic properties, which then result in different MCE. Large MCE has been observed not only in the typical ferromagnetic materials but also in the antiferromagnetic materials. The magnetic properties have been studied in detail to discuss the physical mechanism of large MCE in RTX compounds. Particularly, some RTX compounds such as ErFeSi, HoCuSi, HoCuAl exhibit large reversible MCE under low magnetic field change, which suggests that these compounds could be promising materials for magnetic refrigeration in a low temperature range.