Structure, magnetism, and magnetocaloric properties of MnFeP1−xSix compounds

Abstract

Mn Fe P 1 − x Si x compounds with x = 0.10 , 0.20 , 0.24 , 0.28 , … , 0.80 , 1 were prepared by high-energy ball milling and solid-state reaction. The structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties are investigated as a function of temperature and magnetic field. X-ray diffraction studies show that the samples in the range from x = 0.28 to 0.64 adopt the hexagonal Fe 2 P -type structure with a small amount of second phase which increases with increasing Si content. The samples with lower Si content show the orthorhombic Co 2 P -type structure. Magnetic measurements show that the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transitiontemperatures range from 214 to 377 K . Of much importance is the fact that these compounds do not contain any toxic components and exhibit excellent magnetocaloric properties.