Magnetocaloric properties of Nd-doped Gd₅Si₄ microparticles and nanopowders

Abstract The preparation of materials with enhanced magnetocaloric properties is crucial for magnetic refrigeration. In this study, Nd-doped Gd 5 Si 4 microparticles and nanomaterials were synthesized using the reduction–diffusion method. The impact of Nd doping with varying compositions on the structure and entropy change properties of the materials was investigated. The Curie temperatures of both the micron- and nano-sized materials ranged from 190 K to 210 K, which were lower than previously reported values. Micron-sized samples doped with 1% Nd exhibited superior magnetocaloric properties, demonstrating a maximum entropy change of 4.98 J⋅kg −1 ⋅K −1 at 5 T, with an entropy change exceeding 4 J⋅kg −1 ⋅K −1 over a wide temperature range of approximately 70 K. Conversely, the nanomaterials had broader entropy change peaks but lower values. All samples exhibited a second-order phase transition, as confirmed by the Arrott plots.