Magnetocaloric properties of Gd2MoO6 prepared by a simple and fast method

The experimental study of the specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetization of Gd2MoO6 powder sample was performed in the temperature range between 0.4 K and 300 K in the magnetic fields up to 9 T. Powder sample was prepared via nonconventional mechanochemical/thermal process from powdered oxide precursors. Magnetic ion Gd3+ with spin S = 7/2 is responsible for the magnetic properties. The specific heat study in zero magnetic field revealed two anomalies; a phase transition to the ordered state at TN1 R-.10.98 K and a smaller maximum at TN2 R-.10.6 K. Relatively high magnetic density 6.85 g/cm3 of Gd2MoO6 predetermines this compound as potential magnetocaloric material with a high cooling performance at cryogenic temperatures. A large conventional magnetocaloric effect was found around 3 K with magnetic entropy change - Delta Smax R-.144 J/ (kg K) (300 mJ/(Kcm3)) for magnetic field change from 9 T down to zero with a refrigerant capacity of 464 J/kg. Maximal temperature change -Delta Tad R-.1 23.8 K was found for initial temperature Tinit R-.1 29.9 K for the mentioned change of magnetic field. Alternating susceptibility measurements revealed the presence of two relaxation channels in Gd2MoO6 existing in two different time scales R-.110-3 s and R-.11 s.

Automated summary

The study found that Gd2MoO6 has the potential for high cooling performance at low temperatures, exhibits a large conventional magnetocaloric effect, and conducted a thorough analysis of its magnetic properties.