Improved magneto-caloric effect of the Gd50Co50 metallic glass by minor Si addition

Abstract In the present work, we studied the effect of minor Si addition on the magneto-caloric effect (MCE) of the Gd 50 Co 50 metallic glass. The Gd 50 Co 50−x Si x (x=2, 5) as-spun ribbons show typical amorphous characteristics in structure and magneto-caloric behaviors. The peak values for the magnetic entropy change (−Δ S m peak ) of the Gd 50 Co 50−x Si x (x=0, 2, 5) metallic glasses increase significantly with the addition of Si. The mechanism for the enhanced MCE by minor addition of Si was investigated by revealing the relationship between −Δ S m peak and the Curie temperature in the Gd-Co-based amorphous ribbons.