Successive magnetic transitions with large refrigerant capacity in arc-melted Mn3−xFexSn2 (x = 0.3, 0.7) alloys

This work investigates the magneto-caloric effect and critical behavior in Mn3−xFexSn2 (x = 0.3, 0.7) alloys synthesized by arc melting method. The alloys show two successive second order magnetic phase transitions at TC1 ≈ 254 K (261 K) and TC2 ≈ 205 K (185 K), respectively for x = 0.3 (0.7). The modified Arrot plot study around paramagnetic–ferromagnetic transition at TC1 reveals the critical exponent, β = 0.397 (0.378) with long-range of magnetic interactions for x = 0.3 (0.7). Importantly, the magneto-caloric study for x = 0.3 (0.7) gives large refrigerant capacity (RC) of 330 (250) J/kg at 5 T applied magnetic field. The large RC value and two successive magnetic transitions makes these earth abundant-based Mn3−xFexSn2 alloys highly promising for magnetic refrigeration in a wide temperature span.