Magnetic properties and magneto-caloric performances in RECo2B2C (RE = Gd, Tb and Dy) compounds.

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]