Enhanced Performance of ΔTad upon Frequent Alternating Magnetic Fields in FeRh Alloys by Introducing Second Phases.

The cyclability and frequency dependence of the adiabatic temperature change (ΔTad) under an alternating magnetic field (AMF) are significantly important from the viewpoint of refrigeration application. Our studies demonstrated, by direct measurements, that the cyclability and low-magnetic-field performance of ΔTad in FeRh alloys can be largely enhanced by introducing second phases. The ΔTad under a 1.8 T, 0.13 Hz AMF is reduced by 14%, which is much better than that (40-50%) of monophase FeRh previously reported. More importantly, the introduction of second phases enables the antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic phase transition to be driven by a lower magnetic field. Thus, ΔTad is significantly enhanced under a 0.62 T, 1 Hz AMF, and its value is 70% larger than that of monophase FeRh previously reported. Although frequency dependence of ΔTad occurs, the specific cooling power largely increases by 11 times from 0.17 to 1.9 W/g, as the frequency increases from 1 to 18.4 Hz under an AMF of 0.62 T. Our analysis of the phase transition dynamics based on magnetic relaxation measurements indicates that the activation energy barrier is lowered owing to the existence of second phases in FeRh alloys, which should be responsible for the reduction of the driving field. This work provides an effective way to enhance the cyclability and low-magnetic-field performance of ΔTad under an AMF in FeRh alloys by introducing second phases.