Magnetocaloric effect, specific heat and adiabatic temperature change of HoxEr1-xN (x=0.25, 0.5, 0.75)

ample of HoEr, -,N (x = 0. 25, 0.5, 0.75) were synthesized by hot isostatic pressing of alloy blocks in nitrogen gas and their specific heat were measured under zero-field and 5 T. The peak value of the specific heat associated with the ferro-para. magnetic transition of HoEr, -,N was lager than that of Er3Ni which is used commercially as a magnetic regenerator for the Gifford-McMahon refrigerator. Magnetic entropy change AS and adiabatic temperature range AT were evaluated from entropy curves under zero-field and 5 T. Both the properties were very promising from viewpoints of application of rare-earth mononitride to the magnetic refrigerant and/or regenerator working at cryogenic temperatures around their Curie's temperature. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.