Large low-field magnetic entropy change in DyCo2

The magnetocaloric effect was examined for DyCo2, which shows a first-order transition from a ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic state at 142 K. A large magnetic entropy change ΔSM was observed in this alloy. The maximum value of ΔSM was 2.3, 4.8 and 5.8 J/kg·K for H=0.4, 0.8 and 1.0 T respectively. The origin of the large magnetocaloric effect has also been discussed. The large low-field magnetic entropy change indicates a great potential of DyCo2 as a working material for magnetic refrigerants.