Giant refrigerant capacity in equi-atomic HoErGdCuNi amorphous ribbons.

The microstructure, cryogenic magnetic properties, magneto-caloric effect (MCE) and refrigeration performance of equi-atomic HoErGdCuNi ribbons have been investigated. Fully amorphousized structure with uniform distribution for all constituent elements is obtained. A table-like MCE that covers the temperature region from liquid nitrogen to liquid hydrogen is observed, which leads to a giant refrigerant capacity. Accordingly, the maximum magnetic entropy change (- Δ S M max) , temperature-averaged entropy change [ TEC (10)] and refrigerant capacity (RC) are 15.8 J/kgK, 15.7 J/kgK and 903 J/kg, respectively, at the magnetic field change (Δ H) of 0–7 T. The equi-atomic HoErGdCuNi amorphous ribbons with good MCE parameters especially those with large RC values, are an attractive candidate for cryogenic magnetic refrigeration materials. • Magnetism and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of HoErGdCuNi ribbons were investigated. • A giant refrigerant capacity (RC) in HoErGdCuNi ribbons was obtained. • The origin of MCE and its potential application in HoErGdCuNi were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]