Magnetic transition and large reversible magnetocaloric effect in EuCu sub(1.75)P sub(2) compound

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in EuCu sub(1.75)P sub(2) compound is studied by the magnetization and heat capacity measurements. Magnetization and modified Arrott plots indicate that the compound undergoes a second-order phase transition at T sub(C) ~ 51 K. A large reversible MCE is observed around T sub(C). The values of maximum magnetic entropy change (- Delta S super(max) sub(M)) reach 5.6 J times kg super(-1) times K super(-1) and 13.3 J times kg super(-1) times K super(-1) for the field change of 2 T and 7 T, respectively, with no obvious hysteresis loss in the vicinity of Curie temperature. The corresponding maximum adiabatic temperature changes ( Delta T super(max) sub(ad)) are evaluated to be 2.1 K and 5.0 K. The magnetic transition and the origin of large MCE in EuCu sub(1.75)P sub(2) are also discussed.