Large rotational magnetocaloric effect in GdVO4 single crystal

Abstract The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in GdVO4 single crystal have been investigated systematically. In addition to the previously reported spin-flop transition at 1 T along the c-axis, other spin-flop transitions also occur along the a and b axes at 1.7 T. Meanwhile, prominent magnetic anisotropy is observed below the paramagnetic temperature, which leads to evident distinction of negative magnetic entropies along the a, b, and c axes. The maximum negative magnetic entropy −ΔSM along the three axes are 45.91, 46.17, and 56.03 J/kg × K, respectively, at H = 7 T. The anisotropic MCE between the c and a, b axes also induces large rotational MCE (RMCE) in the bc plane, with the maximum value −ΔSR, bc reaching 10.1 J/kg × K at H = 7 T. These remarkable MCE and RMCE values at low temperatures make the GdVO4 single crystal a potential candidate for applications in cryogenic magnetic refrigeration areas.