Large magnetocaloric effect in melt-spun LaFe13−xSix

A very large value of magnetic entropy change ∣ΔS∣=31J∕kgK was obtained at 201K under 5T in LaFe11.8Si1.2 melt-spun ribbons subjected to a very short-time annealing (2h∕1050°C). This value is much higher than that of a bulk LaFe11.44Si1.56 in this temperature range. The large ∣ΔS∣ is attributed to the first-order thermally induced transition at the Curie temperature TC, and is enhanced even further due to a more homogenous element distribution. With increasing Si concentration, TC is increased and ∣ΔS∣ is decreased due to a weakening or an even disappearance of the first-order magnetic phase transition.