Excellent magnetocaloric properties in RE2Cu2Cd (RE = Dy and Tm) compounds and its composite materials

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of ternary intermetallic RE 2 Cu 2 Cd ( RE = Dy and Tm) compounds and its composite materials have been investigated in detail. Both compounds undergo a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at its own Curie temperatures of T C ~ 48.5 and 15 K for Dy 2 Cu 2 Cd and Tm 2 Cu 2 Cd, respectively, giving rise to the large reversible MCE. An additionally magnetic transition can be observed around 16 K for Dy 2 Cu 2 Cd compound. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change (−Δ S M max ) are estimated to be 17.0 and 20.8 J/kg K for Dy 2 Cu 2 Cd and Tm 2 Cu 2 Cd, for a magnetic field change of 0–70 kOe, respectively. A table-like MCE in a wide temperature range of 10–70 K and enhanced refrigerant capacity ( RC ) are achieved in the Dy 2 Cu 2 Cd - Tm 2 Cu 2 Cd composite materials. For a magnetic field change of 0–50 kOe, the maximum improvements of RC reach 32% and 153%, in comparison with that of individual compound Dy 2 Cu 2 Cd and Tm 2 Cu 2 Cd. The excellent MCE properties suggest the RE 2 Cu 2 Cd ( RE = Dy and Tm) and its composite materials could be expected to have effective applications for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.