Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the ternary cadmium based intermetallic compounds of Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd

The magnetic properties, magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and universal behaviour of ternary Cadmium compounds Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd have been investigated systematically. A second order magnetic phase transition from a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic state is observed for Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd at their own Curie temperatures of TC ∼120 and 36 K, respectively. A large reversible MCE occurs near its own TC for both compounds. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change (−ΔSMmax) are 10.1 and 19.1 J/kg K under a magnetic field change of 0–7 T with no obviously hysteresis loss for Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd, respectively. The corresponding values of refrigerant capacity (RC) and relative cooling power (RCP) are evaluated to be 386 and 373 J/kg, and to be 525 and 489 J/kg, respectively. The rescaled magnetic entropy change curves collapse onto a single curve for various magnetic fields, further confirming the Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd compounds with the second order phase transition. •Magnetism and magnetocaloric effect in Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd were studied.•A considerable reversible MCE was observed for both compounds around its own TC.•The origin of MCE and its potential application in Gd2Cu2Cd and Er2Cu2Cd were discussed.