Reversible table-like magnetocaloric effect in Eu4PdMg over a very large temperature span

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of the ternary intermetallic compound of Eu4PdMg have been investigated. Eu4PdMg has a very magnetic field sensitive magnetic phase transition, resulting in a reversible, table-like MCE over a broad temperature range. For the magnetic field changes of 0-5 T and 0-7 T, the maximum values of magnetic entropy change (-Delta S-M(max)) are 5.5 J kg(-1) K-1 and 7.2 J kg(-1) K-1, respectively, the corresponding refrigeration capacity (RC) are 977 J kg(-1) and 1346 J kg(-1). The RC values are obviously larger than those of some potential magnetic refrigerant materials at similar temperature region, making Eu4PdMg attractive for magnetic refrigeration. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.