Switching of the magnetocaloric effect of Mn(II) glycolate by water molecules.

ABSTRACT

The transformation of Mn(II) glycolates (glc) between the three-dimensional coordination polymer [Mn(glc)2]n (1) and discrete mononuclear phase [Mn(glc)2 (H2O)2] (2) can be reversibly switched by water molecules, which dramatically change the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn(II) glycolates from the maximum of 6.9 J kg(-1) K(-1) in 1 to 60.3 J kg(-1) K(-1) in 2. This case example reveals that the effect of magnetic coupling on MCE plays a dominant role over that of other factors such as magnetic density for 3d-type magnetic refrigerants.