Magnetocaloric effect in layered NdMn2Ge0.4Si1.6

A giant magnetocaloric effect has been observed in NdMn2Ge0.4Si1.6 associated with the first-order magnetic phase transition from antiferromagnetism to ferromagnetism around TC = 36 K. The magnetic entropy change –ΔSM and adiabatic temperature change ΔTad have been determined from magnetization and specific heat measurements (B = 0–5 T) with –ΔSM calculated by the Maxwell relation and Clausius–Clapeyron method. The values –ΔSMmax = 12.3 J kg−1 K−1 and refrigerant capacity ∼ 95 J/kg for ΔB = 0–2 T as derived from the Maxwell relation, together with the small hysteresis (thermal 2Ge0.4Si1.6 for refrigeration applications.