Magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic Dy3Co compound

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects (MCEs) of the Dy3Co compound are studied. Two successive magnetic transitions: the antiferromagnetic (AFM)-to-AFM transition at TAF=29 K and the AFM-to-paramagnetic (PM) transition with increasing temperature at the Néel temperature TN=44 K are observed. Dy3Co undergoes a field-induced metamagnetic transition from the AFM to the ferromagnetic (FM) state below TN, giving rise to a large MCE. The maximal value of magnetic entropy change ΔSm is −13.9 J/kg K with a refrigerant capacity (RC) of 498 J/kg around TN for a field change of 0–5 T. A sign change of MCE in Dy3Co with magnetic field and temperature is observed near the critical field where the metamagnetic transition occurs.