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We present a detailed investigation of the crystal structure, magnetism and magneto-caloric performances of RE Co 2 B 2 C (RE = Gd, Tb and Dy) compounds. All compounds are described with a LuNi 2 B 2 C-type crystallographic structure (I 4/ mmm space group). A second-ordered paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (PM-FM) transition is observed in RE Co 2 B 2 C compounds around their Curie temperatures (T C) of 17.2, 5.3 and 7.7 K, and induced a considerable magneto-caloric effect (MCE) for GdCo 2 B 2 C, TbCo 2 B 2 C and DyCo 2 B 2 C, respectively. The magneto-caloric performances for RE Co 2 B 2 C were characterized by the isothermal magnetic entropy (- Δ S M max) , temperature averaged entropy change (TEC) with three different temperature lifts (3, 5 and 10 K), and relative cooling power (RCP). The corresponding values of - Δ S M max , TEC (3 K) and RCP under the magnetic field change (Δ H) of 0–5 T, are 10.34 J/kg-K, 10.23 J/kg-K, and 238.1 J/kg for GdCo 2 B 2 C, 18.09 J/kg-K, 17.83 J/kg-K, and 438.2 J/kg for TbCo 2 B 2 C, as well as 17.79 J/kg-K, 17.72 J/kg-K, and 480.1 J/kg for DyCo 2 B 2 C, respectively. • Magnetic properties and MCE in RE Co 2 B 2 C compounds were studied. • Large values of -ΔS M max, TEC, RC and RCP were observed at low temperature. • RE Co 2 B 2 C compounds are competitive for cryogenic magnetic cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic refrigeration (MR) by utilizing the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of magnetic solids has been considered a promising, environmentally benign, energy-efficient cooling technology. However, the lack of promising magnetic substances has slowed the development of its active application. To identify suitable candidate materials, we herein identified the structural and magnetic properties together with the MCE and magnetocaloric performances of rare earth (RE) rich RE 6 Ni 2.25 Al 0.75 (RE = Dy, Ho and Er) compounds. All the RE 6 Ni 2.25 Al 0.75 compounds are confirmed to crystallized in orthogonal Ho 6 Co 2 Ga-type structure and underwent paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic magnetic transitions. Moreover, large direct (conventional) and inverse MCEs have been observed in all the RE 6 Ni 2.25 Al 0.75 compounds. The values of peak magnetic entropy changes, temperature-averaged magnetic entropy changes with 5 K-lift and relative cooling powers under magnetic field change of 0–7 T are evaluated to be − 4.44 J/kg-K, − 4.38 J/kg-K and 230.6 J/kg for Dy 6 Ni 2.25 Al 0.75 , to be − 12.68 J/kg-K, − 12.26 J/kg-K and 378.2 J/kg for Ho 6 Ni 2.25 Al 0.75 , and to be − 17.52 J/kg-K, − 17.33 J/kg-K and 465.7 J/kg for Er 6 Ni 2.25 Al 0.75 , respectively. • The RE6Ni2.25Al0.75 (RE = Dy, Ho and Er) compounds are fabricated. • The structural and magnetic properties were investigated. • Large direct and inverse magnetocaloric effects were observed. • The Er6Ni2.25Al0.75 is considerable for cryogenic magnetic refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]