In this paper we investigate the performances of two bulk magnetocaloric refrigerants based on La(Fe,Co)13-xSix and prepared by powder metallurgy. Both materials were developed especially for a magnetic cooling machine. We have determined the magnetocaloric effect in term of temperature change under magnetic field using a test-bench with practical running conditions. ΔT was measured under 2 T and close to room temperature range. The obtained results will be compared with those of some reference materials reported in the literature. In addition, a composite material based on La(Fe,Co)13-xSix is proposed for magnetic systems using Ericsson and AMR cycles for refrigeration close to room temperature.
Abstract
We report on observation of Griffiths phase, high magnetocaloric properties at low magnetic fields and temperature dependent critical exponents of La0.7Sr0.3VxMn1-xO3 (x=0, 0.05 & 0.1) perovskite bulk materials. The Curie temperature (TC) of pure La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is seen to be 368.7 K and decreases towards room temperature (342.2 K) by 10 mol% vanadium doping at the Mn site. Vanadium doping leads to enhancement in magnetic entropy change (-SM) from 1 Jkg-1K-1to 1.41 Jkg-1K-1. Vanadium doping at Mn site leads to the formation of Griffiths phase, a magnetic disorder due to the co-existence of paramagnetic matrix and short range ferromagnetic clusters. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirm the presence of mixed valance V4+/V5+along with Mn3+/ Mn4+ ions contributing to various double exchange interactions. Nature of phase transitions and magnetic interactions are analyzed by evaluating critical exponents and. All the samples show second-order ferromagnetic (FM) to paramagnetic (PM) phase transition, confirmed from the modified Arrott’s plots and critical exponent analysis carried out using Kouvel-Fisher method. Enhancement in magnetic entropy change along with the decrease in Curie temperature towards room temperature by vanadium doping in the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 oxides indicates the possible application of these materials for the magnetic refrigeration at low magnetic fields.
We gather together a number of recent measurements of the coexistence curve and compressibility of fluids close to the critical point, and investigate the variation of the critical exponents and amplitudes as quantum effects become more important. We find that the universal critical exponents and amplitude ratios are the same for quantum fluids as for room-temperature fluids, as expected. Some of the nonuniversal critical amplitudes, however, show systematic variations as quantum effects become significant, in at least qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.
Iron-based low-cost magnetocaloric materials for near room temperature magnetic cooling
