Effect of Boron addition on the microstructure, phase transitions and magnetocaloric properties in Gd-Si-Ge alloy

The Gd5Si2Ge2Bx (0 0.05), both the transitions, Ts and TC shifted to lower temperatures. A maximum magnetic entropy change of 13.6 J/(kg-K) (at 293 K) and refrigerant capacity (RC) of 378 J/kg were obtained in Gd5Si2Ge2B0.05 alloy which conveys that this alloy has an edge over the parent alloy in terms of operating temperature and refrigeration capacity.