Entropy change of magnetostructural transformation and magnetocaloric properties in a Ni50Mn18.5Ga25Cu6.5 Heusler alloy

In this study, we investigate the entropy change of magnetostructural transformation and associated magnetocaloric properties in a Ni50Mn18.5Ga25Cu6.5 Heusler alloy. In this alloy, the structural and magnetic components (i.e., lattice vibration and magnetic entropy changes) synergistically contribute to total entropy change during the magnetostructural transformation. The unique synergistic feature of the alloy results in a large phase transformation entropy change of -1.05 J/molK, in which the structural component accounts for -63% and the magnetic component primarily contributes the remaining -37%. Within the framework of a Landau model, simulative magnetocaloric entropy change increases with magnetic field due to the synergistic feature of the structural and magnetic components. In addition, an adiabatic temperature change up to +6.5 K is obtained in the Ni50Mn18.5Ga25Cu6.5 alloy under a magnetic field of 8 T.

Automated summary

This study investigates the entropy change and magnetocaloric properties in a Ni50Mn18.5Ga25Cu6.5 Heusler alloy. The structural and magnetic components synergistically contribute to the total entropy change during the magnetostructural transformation. The alloy exhibits a large phase transformation entropy change, with the structural component accounting for the majority. Additionally, the adiabatic temperature change of the alloy under a magnetic field is significant.