Combined caloric effects in a multiferroic Ni–Mn–Ga alloy with broad refrigeration temperature region

Yong Hu,Xiang Zhao,Youwei Du,Dunhui Wang,Liang Zuo,Zongbin Li,Jian Liu,Yuanyuan Gong,Suxin Qian,Weimin Gan,Yang Li,Dewei Zhao,Bo Yang

doi:10.1063/1.4980161

Abstract

Solid-state refrigeration based on the caloric effects is promising to replace the traditional vapor-compressing refrigeration technology due to environmental protection and high efficiency. However, the narrow working temperature region has hindered the application of these refrigeration technologies. In this paper, we propose a method of combined caloric, through which a broad refrigeration region can be realized in a multiferroic alloy, Ni–Mn–Ga, by combining its elastocaloric and magnetocaloric effects. Moreover, the materials’ efficiency of elastocaloric effect has been greatly improved in our sample. These results illuminate a promising way to use multiferroic alloys for refrigeration with a broad refrigeration temperature region.

Highlights

Solid-state refrigeration based on the caloric effects of ferroic materials has attracted more and more attention since it possesses higher cooling efficiency and is more environmentally friendly
We propose an alternative solution, named combined caloric effects, to achieve a broad refrigeration temperature region
Around the martensitic transformation (MT), Ni–Mn–Ga alloys show a large inverse and conventional MC effect, for lower and higher magnetic fields, respectively, because the magnetization of low-temperature martensite becomes larger than the magnetization of high-temperature austenite above a certain measuring field.[7]

Summary

Introduction

Solid-state refrigeration based on the caloric effects of ferroic materials has attracted more and more attention since it possesses higher cooling efficiency and is more environmentally friendly. Combined caloric effects in a multiferroic Ni–Mn–Ga alloy with broad refrigeration temperature region

Results

Conclusion