Crystal structure, magnetic phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in layer-like RE11Ni4In9 (RE = Gd, Dy and Ho) compounds

Abstract The layer-like RE11Ni4In9 (RE = Gd, Dy and Ho) intermetallic compounds were successfully fabricated and systematically investigated concerning crystal structure, magnetic phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect (MCE). The RE11Ni4In9 compounds crystallize in layer-like orthorhombic crystal structure (Cmmm space group) which is composed of CsCl-type and AlB2-type units with the ratio of 9 : 2. The RE11Ni4In9 compounds present multiple magnetic phase transitions at low temperature. Except for the phase transition at low temperature region, the major phase transitions of the present series compounds are of second-ordered phase transitions (SOPTs). Around the magnetic phase transition temperatures at 91, 18 and 13.5 K for Gd11Ni4In9, Dy11Ni4In9 and Ho11Ni4In9 compounds, the values of peak magnetic entropy change ( − Δ S M max ) with magnetic flux density change Δ H  = 0–7 T and the temperature averaged magnetic entropy change with 3 K lift are 3.58 and 3.55 J/kg-K, 6.02 and 5.94 J/kg-K, as well as 12.44 and 12.25 J/kg-K for Gd11Ni4In9, Dy11Ni4In9 and Ho11Ni4In9 compounds, respectively. The corresponding relative cooling power (refrigerant capacity) values are 269.0 (206.4), 194.9 (144.7), and 353.0 (269.2) J/kg, respectively.