Magneto-structural transformations and magnetocaloric effect in the Heusler type Ni48Cu2Mn36Sn14-xTix melt-spun ribbons.

The Heusler type Ni–Mn- Z (Z = Ga, ln, Sn, or Sb) alloys with magneto-structural transformations (MSTs) have received widespread research interests due to the exhibition of multifunctional characters. To further understand MSTs and improve the magnetocaloric performance of these alloys, in this work, the Ti doped Ni 48 Cu 2 Mn 36 Sn 14-x Ti x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) ribbons have been fabricated and systematically determined with regard to the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and magnetization measurements. All the ribbons are found to crystallize in the ordered cubic L2 1 austenite phases at room temperature and with the equiaxed austenite morphology. With the increasing Ti content, the average grain size and the MST temperature increase but the austenite Curie temperature (T A C) decrease gradually. Moreover, the thermal hysteresis and magnetic hysteresis loss are greatly reduced with the Ti doping. The value of average hysteresis loss (AHL) is reduced from 86 Jkg−1 for Ti0 to 25.5 Jkg−1 for Ti3 ribbon under 7 T. Additionally, enhanced magnetocaloric effect has been observed by Ti-doping. With the magnetic field change (ΔH) of 0–7 T, the largest value of magnetic entropy change reaches 15.4 Jkg−1K−1 (Ti2) among the Ni 48 Cu 2 Mn 36 Sn 14-x Ti x ribbons. The present work indicates that reasonable Ti doping could be a useful way to regulation the MSTs and improve the magnetocaloric performance of the Heusler type Ni–Mn–Sn-based alloys. • The Hesuler type Ni 48 Cu 2 Mn 36 Sn 14-x Ti x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) ribbons are fabricated. • The structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties were investigated. • Ti doping could be a useful way to regulation the MSTs. • Enhanced magnetocaloric performances has been observed by Ti-doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]