Hysteresis-free reversible magnetocaloric effect and critical behavior of Ni39.56Fe7.27Co2.97Mn40.65Sn9.55 full heusler alloy

Abstract

Utilizing the magnetocaloric effect (MCE), magnetic refrigeration technology offers an advantage over traditional gas-based refrigerators, which produce harmful gases. Herein, we study the MCE and critical magnetic behavior of Fe and Co substituted Ni39.56Fe7.27Co2.97Mn40.65Sn9.55 Heusler alloy near the paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition temperature. With Fm3̅m space group, the present sample crystallizes in cubic L21 structure. Arrott plots and hysteresis-free continuous phase transition confirm a second-order transition from FM to PM. Again, this second-order transition is verified by collapsing scaled entropy curves for various fields into a single universal curve. The critical exponent values obtained using several analytical techniques, like the Kouvel-Fisher method, modified Arrott plot, and critical isotherm, correspond to the mean-field theory universality class having long-range ordering. The above findings suggest our sample to be a suitable magnetic refrigerant by overcoming the difficulty of obtaining a reversible and high value of magnetic entropy change along with substantial relative cooling power across the second-order phase transition.