Structural and magnetic characterization of Gd 5Si 3.5− xGe xSn 0.5 alloys

Abstract

Gd 5Si 3.5− x Ge x Sn 0.5 ( x = 1.4, 1.8, 2.1, 2.625) polycrystalline alloys were prepared by arc-melting method. The crystal structure and the magnetic properties were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and a vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. The series alloys have a significant magnetocaloric effect in low magnetic field change of 0–18 kOe. The T c declines and the maximal magnetic entropy change increases gradually with the increase of Ge content. Gd 5Si 1.7Ge 1.8Sn 0.5 ordering occurs at near room temperature (264 K). The maximal magnetic entropy change is much larger than that of Gd and comparable with that of Gd 5Si 2Ge 2 at the corresponding Curie temperature.