Large Field-Induced Magnetocaloric Effect in Ni43Mn46-xVxSn11 Heusler Alloys

The magnetocaloric effect of Ni43Mn46-xVxSn11 (x = 0.00, 0.75, 1.25, 1.50) alloys has been investigated. It is revealed that partial substitution of V for Mn dramatically enhances themagnetic entropy change from 15.4 J/kg. K for x = 0 to 36.1 J/kg.K for x = 1.25 under a magnetic field of 3 T. A large refrigeration capacity up to 164.2 J/kg for x = 1.50 indicates that the V-doped Ni43Mn46Sn11 alloys are promising candidates for the application in magnetic refrigeration. The origin of large magnetic entropy change and the variation of phase transformation temperature were discussed in terms of electron density.