Magnetic anisotropy and entropy change in trigonal Cr5Te8

We present a comprehensive investigation of the anisotropic magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of quasi-two-dimensional weak itinerant ferromagnet trigonal Cr5Te8 single crystals. Magnetic-anisotropy-induced satellite transition T* is observed at low fields applied parallel to the ab plane below the Curie temperature (T-c similar to 230 K). T* is featured by an anomalous magnetization downturn, similar to that in structurally related CrI3, which possibly stems from an in-plane antiferromagnetic alignment induced by out-of-plane ferromagnetic spins canting. Magnetocrystalline anisotropy is also reflected in magnetic entropy change Delta S-M(T, H) and relative cooling power. Given the high Curie temperature, Cr5Te8 crystals are materials of interest for nanofabrication in basic science and applied technology.