Magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the magnetocaloric effect in Fe2P

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of high-purity, giant magnetocaloric polycrystalline and single-crystalline Fe2P are investigated. Fe2P displays a moderate magnetic entropy change, which spans over 70 K and the presence of strong magnetization anisotropy proves this system is not fully itinerant but displays a mix of itinerant and localized magnetism. The properties of pure Fe2P are compared to those of giant magnetocaloric (Fe,Mn)2(P,A) (where A = As, Ge, Si) compounds helping understand the exceptional characteristics shown by the latter, which are so promising for heat pump and energy conversion applications.