Large magnetocaloric effect and refrigerant capacity near room temperature in as-cast Gd5Ge2Si2−xSnx compounds

Large values of isothermal entropy change (ΔST) and refrigerant capacity have been found in Gd5Ge2Si2−xSnx compounds. Values of the order of 20 J kg−1 K−1 for −ΔST were obtained in as-cast samples when submitted to a magnetic field variation of 2 T. First-order-magneto-structural transition is induced by the substitution of silicon by tin and it is shifted to lower temperatures with the tin content. It means that the magnetocaloric effect on this series can be properly tuned to a specific practical thermodynamic cycle, including near room temperature range.