Modifications in the magnetocaloric effect owing to composition changes in Gd2In1−xGex (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) system of compounds

Abstract

In this paper, we report the variations observed in magnetothermal, magnetocaloric, and magnetic properties of the Gd2 In1− x Ge x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) system of compounds concerning the changes in substitution of Ge. Changes have been recorded in a temperature sweeping range of 2-300 K while the magnetic field was increased from 0 to a maximum of 5 T. All the compositions set into the Ni2 In-type hexagonal structure and no structural changes are observed with the change in the value of x. Though the transition temperature values, which are T C ≈ 191 K and T N ≈ 100 K in case of x = 0, have only subtle shifts with the Ge substitution yet promising changes have been observed in the magnetocaloric effect. At x = 0.2 the isothermal magnetic entropy variation peak touches the value of 2.5 J/kg − K around T N in a field change from 0 to 5 T. This showcases that the compounds reported have a worthy place within the bracket of magnetocaloric compounds.