Magnetic Properties and Magnetocaloric Effect in Layered NdMn_1.9V_0.1Si₂

Abstract

Abstract.The structural and magnetic properties of the compounds NdMn 2-x V x Si 2 have been studied by x-ray and high resolution neutron powder diffraction, specific heat, dc magnetization, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements over the temperature range 3-450 K. The Curie temperature and Néel temperature of layered NdMn 1.9 V 0.1 Si 2 are been indicate at T C ~ 24 K and T N ~ 376 K respectively. The giant magnetocaloric effect (GMCE) around T C is found in layered NdMn 1.9 V 0.1 Si 2 associated with first order magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic [AFil-type] to ferromagnetic [F(Nd)+Fmc]. This behaviorhas been confirmed as contribution of the magnetostructural coupling by using neutron powder diffraction. The magnetic entropy change -ΔS M ~ 25.4J kg -1 K -1 and adiabatic temperature change ΔT ad~ 6.7 K have been determined using magnetization and specific heat measurement under 0-8 T field applied. This compound belongs with the small thermal ~ 0.8 K and magnetic ~ 0.1 T hysteresis characteristic providing high potential material for magnetic refrigerator.