Magnetic entropy change in Gd95Fe2.8Al2.2 amorphous/nanocrystalline ribbons

The Gd(95)Pe(2.8)Al(2.2) amorphous/nanocrystalline composite was obtained by melt spinning. A full width at half maximum of entropy change - Delta S-M (delta(FWHM)) of 104 K, relatively large refrigerant capacity (RC) of similar to 551 J kg(-1) together with - Delta S-M of 7.8 J kg(-1) K-1 have been achieved at 278 K under a field change of 5 T. This RC value is about 35% and 80% larger than those of crystalline Gd (similar to 410 J kg(-1)) and Gd5Si2Ge2 (similar to 306 J kg(-1)) alloy, respectively. The mechanism of the enhanced RC was discussed and would shed a light on searching for excellent magnetic refrigerants at near room temperature. (C) 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved