Hydrostatic pressure-induced modifications of structural transitions lead to large enhancements of magnetocaloric effects in MnNiSi-based systems

Abstract

By means of alloying appropriate amounts of MnNiSi and MnFeGe, materials are found that undergo a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition close to room temperature, accompanied by a huge volume change. Thanks to this volume change, application of moderate pressures leads to a remarkable enhancement of the magnetocaloric response. Work like this may open new opportunities in the development of new solid-state magnetic refrigeration devices.