Articles you may be interested inLarge magnetocaloric effects over a wide temperature range in MnCo1−xZnxGe J. Appl. Phys. 113, 17A922 (2013); 10.1063/1.4798339 We observe an enhanced magnetic entropy change (ÀDS M ) at cryogenic temperatures (T < 20 K) in Eu 8 Ga 16 Ge 30 clathrate (type-I) nanocrystals prepared by a ball milling method. With reduction in the crystal size to 15 nm, ÀDS M is enhanced at low temperatures, reaching the highest value ($10 J/kg K) at 5 K for a field change of 5 T. For all samples investigated, there is a cross-over temperature ($25 K) in ÀDS M (T) above which ÀDS M decreases with crystal size, opposite to that observed at low temperatures. A careful analysis of the magnetic and magnetocaloric data reveals that as the crystal size decreases the magnetic interaction between Eu 2þ ions on the Eu2 site governing the primary ferromagnetic transition at $35 K becomes gradually weaker, in effect, altering the interaction between Eu 2þ ions occupying the Eu1 and Eu2 sites responsible for the secondary ferromagnetic transition at 15 K. As a result, we have observed a strong change in magnetization and the enhancement of ÀDS M at low temperature. V C 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.