Control of Working Temperature of Large Isothermal Magnetic Entropy Change in La (FexTMySi1-x-y)13 (TM=Cr, Mn, Ni) and La1-zCez(FexMnySi1-x-y)13

The Curie temperature TC of La(FexSi1-x)13 is increased by a partial substitution of Ni for Fe. On the contrary, TC is decreased by a partial substitution of Cr or Mn. In addition, a partial substitution of Ce for La in La(FexMnySi1-x-y)13 causes the further decrease of TC. As a result, La0.65Ce0.35(Fe0.85Mn0.03Si0.12)13 exhibits a thermal-induced first-order transition at TC=60 K. This result means that TC of the La1-zCez(FexMnySi1-x-y)13 is tunable in the temperature range between 60 and 180 K by adjusting composition with keeping the itinerant-electron metamagnetic transition. In the magnetic field change from 0 to 4 T in the vicinity of TC=60 K, the La0.65Ce0.35(Fe0.85Mn0.03Si0.12)13 shows the isothermal magnetic entropy change (delta) Sm=-13 J kg^-1 K^-1 and the relative cooling power \mathit{RCP}=458 J kg^-1. Consequently, the La1-zCez(FexMnySi1-x-y)13 compounds are useful for magnetic refrigerants working in a temperature range between 60 and 180 K.