Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of HoCr0.75Fe0.25O3 compound

We report on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of HoCr0.75Fe0.25O3 compound around the Néel temperature (TN), which is due to Cr3+ ordering. Susceptability (χ) vs. temperature (T) graph of HoCr0.75Fe0.25O3 compound infer two transitions due to the ordering of Cr3+ moments (TN ~ 155 K) and Ho3+ moments (TNHo ~ 8 K). Magnetic entropy (–ΔSM) value of 1.14 J kg-1 K-1 around 157.5 K with a magnetic field (H) of 90 kOe is attributed to antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of Cr3+ moments. A maximum value of adiabatic temperature (ΔTad) ~ 0.41 K around TN is obtained and is found to increases with applied magnetic field. Negative slope for H/M vs. M2 graph is evident for HoCr0.75Fe0.25O3 compound below TN, which indicates the first order phase transition. Quantified values of – ΔSM and ΔTad opens up the way to explore rare earth orthochromites for the MCE properties and refrigeration applications.