Metamagnetic transition and magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic TbPdAl compound

Magnetic properties and the magnetocaloric effect of the compound TbPdAl are investigated. The compound exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling, and undergoes two successive AFM transitions at T-N = 43 K and T-t = 22 K. A field-induced metamagnetic transition from AFM to ferromagnetic (FM) state is observed below T-N, and a small magnetic field can destroy the AFM structure of TbPdAl, inducing an FM-like state. The maximal value of magnetic entropy change is -11.4 J/kg K with a refrigerant capacity of 350 J/kg around T-N for a field change of 0-5 T. Good magnetocaloric properties of TbPdAl result from the high saturation magnetization caused by the field-induced AFM-FM transition. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.