Structural and magnetic properties of MnCo1−xVxGe compounds

Abstract The structural and magnetic properties of MnCo 1− x V x Ge ( x  = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30) compounds were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and magnetization measurements. The MnCo 1− x V x Ge compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic TiNiSi-type crystal structure for x  ≤ 0.02 and in the hexagonal Ni 2 In-type structure for x  > 0.02. The magnetization measurements show that the MnCo 1− x V x Ge compounds exhibit a complex magnetic behavior. The Curie temperature can be tuned from 360 K to 148 K by increasing x . The maximal magnetic-entropy change is 3.9 J/kg K for x  = 0.06 at a field change from 0 to 1.5 T at about 265 K.