Magnetocaloric Effect in LaFe10.7Co0.8Si1.5 Compound Near Room Temperature

Magnetocaloric properties of LaFe_10.7Co_0.8Si_1.5 with the cubic NaZn₁₃-type structure were investigated around their Curie temperature T _C . By the help of the phenomenological model, the magnetization curves for LaFe_10.7Co_0.8Si_1.5 at several magnetic fields were simulated. The magnetic entropy change and specific heat are obtained. The values of maximum magnetic entropy change, full-width at half-maximum, and relative cooling power, at several magnetic field variation, were calculated. It is shown that for LaFe_10.7Co_0.8Si_1.5 the magnetic entropy change follows an asymmetrical broadening of ΔS _M peak with increasing field. The maximum magnetic entropy change of this compound is 7.10 JK^?1?kg^?1 and relative cooling power is 201.37 J/K under a magnetic field of 2 T. The magnetocaloric effect of this material is large and tunable, suggesting a possible technical application of the material at moderate magnetic fields near room temperature.