Structure, magnetism and magnetocaloric effects in Er₅Si₃B _x (x = 0.3,0.6) compounds

Abstract

In this work, the structure, magnetic properties, magnetic phase transitions and MCEs of Er5Si3Bx (x=0.3, 0.6) compounds are studied. The Er5Si3Bx (x=0.3, 0.6) compounds crystalized in a Mn5Si3 type hexagonal structure (space group: P63/cm) and exhibited a successive complicated magnetic phase transition. The extensive magnetic phase transitions contribute to the broad temperature range of MCEs (magnetocaloric effects) exhibited in Er5Si3Bx (x=0.3, 0.6) compounds, with maximum magnetic entropy change (−∆S M max ) and refrigeration capacity (RC) of 10.2 J/kg K, 356.3 J/kg and 11.5 J/kg K, 393.3 J/kg under varying magnetic fields from 0-5 T, respectively. Remarkably, the ܶδT FWWHM (the temperature range corresponding to $\frac{1}{2}$× |−∆S M max |) of Er5Si3Bx (x=0.3, 0.6) compounds were up to 41.8 K and 39.6 K, respectively. Thus, the present work provides a potential magnetic refrigeration material with a broad temperature range MCEs for application in cryogenic magnetic refrigerators.