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The magnetic properties, magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and universal behaviour of ternary Cadmium compounds Gd 2 Cu 2 Cd and Er 2 Cu 2 Cd have been investigated systematically. A second order magnetic phase transition from a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic state is observed for Gd 2 Cu 2 Cd and Er 2 Cu 2 Cd at their own Curie temperatures of T C ∼120 and 36 K, respectively. A large reversible MCE occurs near its own T C for both compounds. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change (−Δ S M max ) are 10.1 and 19.1 J/kg K under a magnetic field change of 0–7 T with no obviously hysteresis loss for Gd 2 Cu 2 Cd and Er 2 Cu 2 Cd, respectively. The corresponding values of refrigerant capacity ( RC ) and relative cooling power ( RCP ) are evaluated to be 386 and 373 J/kg, and to be 525 and 489 J/kg, respectively. The rescaled magnetic entropy change curves collapse onto a single curve for various magnetic fields, further confirming the Gd 2 Cu 2 Cd and Er 2 Cu 2 Cd compounds with the second order phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in Dy 2 Cu 2 In compound have been investigated. Dy 2 Cu 2 In undergoes two magnetic phase transitions, a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (FM) at T C ∼ 49.5 K followed by a spin reorientation (SR) at T SR ∼ 19.5 K. For a magnetic field change of 0–7 T, the maximum values of the magnetic entropy change (−Δ S M max ) are estimated to be 16.5 around T C and 6.7 J/kg K around T SR with a large relative cooling power ( RCP ) value of 617 J/kg. The modified Arrott plots and universal curves of the rescaled Δ S M confirmed that the magnetic phase transitions in Dy 2 Cu 2 In compound belongs the second order phase transitions. The present results may provide some clues to search for new magnetocaloric materials belonging to RE 2 T 2 X system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Magnetism and magnetocaloric effect in ErNi2−x Fe x B2C were studied. [•] Ni site Fe substitution can reduce the magnetic hysteresis of ErNi2B2C. [•] The origin of MCE and its potential application in ErNi2−x Fe x B2C were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CsCl-type HoZn undergoes two successive magnetic phase transitions: (i) paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (FM) at T C ∼ 72 K and (ii) a spin reorientation (SR) at T SR ∼ 26 K. Magnetization and modified Arrott plots indicate that HoZn undergoes a second-order magnetic phase transition around T C . The obtained critical exponents have some small deviations from the mean-field theory, indicating a short range or a local magnetic interaction which is properly related to the coexistence of FM and SR transitions at low temperature. Two successive magnetic transitions in HoZn induce one broad pronounced peak together with a shoulder in the temperature dependence of the magnetic entropy change −Δ S M ( T ) curves, resulting in a wide temperature range with a large relative cooling power ( RCP ). For a field change of 0–7 T, the maximum value of −Δ S M is 15.2 J/kg K around T C with a large RCP value of 1124 J/kg. The large reversible magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and RC indicate that HoZn is a good candidate for active magnetic refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]