Low field-induced significant magnetic entropy change owing to short-range magnetic correlations in a triangular lattice antiferromagnet GdZnAl₁₁O₁₉

Abstract Magnetic refrigeration is the epitome of modern cryogenic refrigeration, where magnetocaloric effect play a crucial role. For feasible practical applications, high-performance materials which exhibit large magnetocaloric effect under a low applied magnetic field are required to resolve the manufacturing and economic challenges. In this context, a highly frustrated system, GdZnAl 11 O 19 , where Gd 3+ forms a quasi 2D triangular lattice is investigated. In this compound, no long-range ordering prevails down to 1.8 K. Magnetization along with field-dependent magnetic entropy change corroborates the existence of short-range magnetic correlations. Moreover, the calculated values of magnetic entropy change and relative cooling power are significant. Further the high value of mechanical efficiency demonstrates GdZnAl 11 O 19 as a promising magnetocaloric material for magnetic refrigeration technology, particularly at cryogenic temperatures and under low magnetic field change.