Observation of the magnetic criticality and the magnetocaloric effect in LaMn2Si2 in the vicinity of the phase transition around the room temperature

In search of the ideal candidate for the room temperature magnetic refrigerator, we found that this ternary intermetallic LaMn2Si2 is very useful for this purpose. So, the detailed magnetic properties and the critical behaviour around the phase transition have been studied through the Monte Carlo simulation process. The critical temperature of LaMn2Si2 is 311 K, which is the same as the previous experimental study. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, magnetic specific heat, Binder cumulant and the internal energy have been calculated to confirm the phase transition temperature. The critical exponents are determined through the finite-size scaling method at the critical temperature. The values of alpha, beta and gamma are 0.302, 0.328 and 1.293, respectively, similar to the 3D-Ising model. The entropy change and the adiabatic temperature change are determined to study the magnetocaloric effect. The relative cooling power (RCP) is 82 J/kg for 6 Tesla applied fields. We then doped 10% Cu in the Mn site to reduce the critical temperature to 281 K and similarly studied the magnetocaloric effect. The RCP value turns out to be 78 J/kg. However, this compound will be a good candidate for the magnetic refrigerator at room temperature without emitting the greenhouse gas. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Through Monte Carlo simulation, the detailed magnetic properties and critical behavior of LaMn2Si2 were studied, with the critical temperature and key parameters determined. Adding copper element reduced the critical temperature of LaMn2Si2 and studied the magnetocaloric effect. This compound is a suitable candidate for a room temperature magnetic refrigerator.