Large reversible magnetocaloric effect in RE2Cu2In (RE  =  Er and Tm) and enhanced refrigerant capacity in its composite materials.

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in RE2Cu2In (RE  =  Er and Tm) compounds and its composite materials have been investigated. A large reversible MCE is observed at around their own Curie temperature of TC ~ 39.4 and 31.6 K for Er2Cu2In and Tm2Cu2In, respectively. Under a magnetic field change of 0–7 T, the maximum values of magnetic entropy change () are estimated to be 18.4 and 18.2 J kg−1 K−1 for Er2Cu2In and Tm2Cu2In, respectively. A table-like MCE at a temperature of 20–50 K and enhanced refrigerant capacity (RC) are realized in the Er2Cu2In–Tm2Cu2In composite materials. For magnetic field changes of 0–5 and 0–7 T, the maximum improvements of RC reach 32% (12%) and 28% (14%), in comparison with that of the individual compound Er2Cu2In (Tm2Cu2In), respectively. The excellent MCE properties make the RE2Cu2In composite materials attractive for low-temperature magnetic refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]