Systematic investigations on the magnetic properties of Gd3Ni2In4 compound

• Published in: Current applied physics Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 266 - 271
• Main Authors: Arun, K., Rashid, T.P., Reiffers, Marian, Dzubinska, Andrea, Nagalakshmi, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2020; 한국물리학회
• Subjects: Magnetic properties; Magnetocaloric effect; Magnetoresistance; Relative cooling power; 물리학; Magnetoresistance; Relative cooling power; Magnetocaloric effect; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 1567-1739; 1878-1675
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cap.2019.11.014

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric, thermodynamic and transport properties of polycrystalline Gd3Ni2In4 compound. X-ray powder diffraction pattern shows that Gd3Ni2In4 crystallizes in hexagonal Lu3Co2In4 – type structure. Magnetization studies reveal the presence of two magnetic transitions, TN and TC at 21 K and 55.5 K, respectively. The maximal value of magnetic entropy change, -ΔSM, computed from isothermal magnetization data in a magnetic field of 9 T is 4.57 J/kg K, which is spread over a wide temperature (ΔT = 61.5 K) and hence yields a relative cooling power (RCP) of 281 J/kg. In addition, the compound shows a significant positive magnetoresistance, MR (T = 2 K) = 44% in B = 9 T. These results on Gd3Ni2In4 compound signify that such materials exhibiting successive reversible magnetic transitions may comprise a distinct class of magnetocaloric materials as they work in a wider temperature range than conventional refrigerant materials. •Wide temperature range magnetocaloric effect due to successive antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic transitions is obtained•Universal curve of magnetic entropy change is successfully constructed, confirming the second order magnetic transition•Large positive magnetoresistance with a magnitude of 44% at 2 K in 9 T is found in this compound