Enhanced Performance of ΔT ad upon Frequent Alternating Magnetic Fields in FeRh Alloys by Introducing Second Phases

The cyclability and frequency dependence of the adiabatic temperature change (ΔT ad) under an alternating magnetic field (AMF) are significantly important from the viewpoint of refrigeration application. Our studies demonstrated, by direct measurements, that the cyclability and low-magnetic-field performance of ΔT ad in FeRh alloys can be largely enhanced by introducing second phases. The ΔT ad under a 1.8 T, 0.13 Hz AMF is reduced by 14%, which is much better than that (40–50%) of monophase FeRh previously reported. More importantly, the introduction of second phases enables the antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic phase transition to be driven by a lower magnetic field. Thus, ΔT ad is significantly enhanced under a 0.62 T, 1 Hz AMF, and its value is 70% larger than that of monophase FeRh previously reported. Although frequency dependence of ΔT ad occurs, the specific cooling power largely increases by 11 times from 0.17 to 1.9 W/g, as the frequency increases from 1 to 18.4 Hz under an AMF of 0.62 T. Our analysis of the phase transition dynamics based on magnetic relaxation measurements indicates that the activation energy barrier is lowered owing to the existence of second phases in FeRh alloys, which should be responsible for the reduction of the driving field. This work provides an effective way to enhance the cyclability and low-magnetic-field performance of ΔT ad under an AMF in FeRh alloys by introducing second phases.