Giant magnetocaloric effect in MnAs1−xPx in a cyclic magnetic field: Lattice and magnetic contributions and degradation of the effect

Abstract

In this report, we present results of the direct measurements of the adiabatic temperature change in MnAs1−xPx compounds (x = 0, 0.02, 0.025, and 0.03) in cyclic magnetic fields up to 8 T. The substitution of As by P results in a slight shift of the Curie temperature and more notable change in the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) value. Estimations of the lattice and magnetic contributions show that in the MnAs compound, the lattice contribution dominates (about 70% of the total MCE). Substitution of As with phosphorus leads to a decrease in the total value of the MCE, which is caused by a decrease in the lattice contribution, and the magnetic contribution almost does not change in the absolute value. A reversible degradation of the magnetocaloric effect in cyclic magnetic fields is found, which restricts the application of this material to the magnetic cooling technology.