Field dependence of magnetic entropy change in Mn5Ge3 near room temperature

We present the investigation of the magnetic field dependence of magneto-caloric properties in Mn5Ge3 with a near-room temperature second order phase transition (SOPT) at T-c similar or equal to 297.5 K. The isothermal entropy change (vertical bar Delta S-M vertical bar) exhibits a high- field (H >= 3 T) power-law behavior with exponent value of 0.58 (near TC), in corroboration with critical exponents study. The maximum entropy change (vertical bar Delta S-M vertical bar max vertical bar) exhibits a H-2/3 dependence with addition of spatial inhomogeneity and higher order magnetization (up to M-6) terms in Landau's theory of SOPT. The nearly identical magnetic field evolution of magnetocaloric effect and a reasonably high refrigerant capacity of 398 J/kg (at 5 T) for inexpensive and abundant Mn5Ge3 make it a promising alternative to rare-earth Gadolinium for near-room temperature magnetic refrigeration technology. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The investigation on the magnetic field dependence of magneto-caloric properties in Mn5Ge3 reveals its high potential as a promising alternative to rare-earth Gadolinium for near-room temperature magnetic refrigeration technology, with high refrigerant capacity.