Competing anisotropies on 3d sub-lattice of YNi4–xCoxB compounds

Abstract

The magnetic anisotropy of 3d sub-lattices has an important rule on the overall magnetic properties of hard magnets. Intermetallics alloys with boron (R-Co/Ni-B, for instance) belong to those hard magnets family and are useful objects to help to understand the magnetic behavior of 3d sub-lattice, specially when the rare earth ions R do not have magnetic nature, like YCo 4 B ferromagnetic material. Interestingly, YNi 4 B is a paramagnetic material and Ni ions do not contribute to the magnetic anisotropy. We focused therefore our attention to YNi 4-x Co x B series, with x ¼ 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The magnetic anisotropy of these compounds is deeper described using statistical and preferential models of Co occupation among the possible Wyckoff positions into the CeCo 4 B type hexagonal structure. We found that the preferential model is the most suitable to explain the magnetization experimental data. V

Experimental evidences of enhanced magnetocaloric properties at room temperature and half-metallicity on Fe 2 MnSi-based Heusler alloys

“…The mass of the reactants of high purity were calculated in stoichiometric quantities, with exception of Mn, which was added in excess of 3% from the stoichiometry to compensate possible losses during the melting process. This additional amount was found using the preparation process described in [37]. The ingots were wrapped in tantalum foils, sealed in a quartz tube filled with argon and annealed for 3 days at 1323 K with subsequent quench in water to obtain single phase samples.…”