Magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic Dy3Co compound.

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects (MCEs) of the Dy₃Co compound are studied. Two successive magnetic transitions: the antiferromagnetic (AFM)-to-AFM transition at T _AF=29 K and the AFM-to-paramagnetic (PM) transition with increasing temperature at the Néel temperature T _N=44 K are observed. Dy₃Co undergoes a field-induced metamagnetic transition from the AFM to the ferromagnetic (FM) state below T _N, giving rise to a large MCE. The maximal value of magnetic entropy change Δ S _m is −13.9 J/kg K with a refrigerant capacity (RC) of 498 J/kg around T _N for a field change of 0–5 T. A sign change of MCE in Dy₃Co with magnetic field and temperature is observed near the critical field where the metamagnetic transition occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]