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  Tolinski, T.; Falkowski, M.; Synoradzki, K.; Hoser, A.; Stüßer, N.: Magnetocaloric effect in the ferromagnetic GdNi₄M (M = Al, Si) and antiferromagnetic NdNiAl₄ compounds. Journal of Alloys and Compounds 523 (2012), p. 43-48

10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.01.156

Abstract:
Magnetocaloric (MCE) effect has been studied in the ferromagnetic (FM) GdNi4Al, GdNi4Si, and the antiferromagnetic (AFM) NdNiAl4 compounds. All the compounds order magnetically between 9 and 30 K. The maximum magnetic entropy change -Delta S-M is in the range of 10 - 16 J kg(-1) K-1 for the studied RNi4M compounds. Arrott plots suggest that the phase transition in GdNi4Al and GdNi4Si may be of a first order-type. It is ascribed to a field - induced AFM - FM transition. Neutron diffraction experiments on NdNiAl4 show that its magnetic structure is not of a simple AFM - type. Additionally, the specific heat measurements for NdNiAl4 reveal a change of the sign of MCE and very small values of Delta S-M and the adiabatic temperature change Delta T-ad. (C) 2012