Toward a better understanding of the magnetocaloric effect: an experimental and theoretical study of MnFe4Si3

The intermetallic compound MnFe{sub 4}Si{sub 3} has been studied by high-resolution Time of Flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction. MnFe{sub 4}Si{sub 3} crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6{sub 3}/mcm with lattice constants of a=b=6.8043(4) A and c=4.7254(2) A at 310 K. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show clearly the magnetic transition from paramagnetism to ferromagnetism at about 302(2) K. Magnetic structure refinements based on neutron powder diffraction data with and without external magnetic field reveal strong evidence on the origin of the large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in this material as a partial reordering of the spins between ∼270 K and 300 K. In addition, electronic structure calculations using the self-consistent, spin-polarized Tight Binding-Linear MuffinTin Orbital (TB-LMTO) method were also accomplished to address the “coloring problem” (Mn/Fe site preference) as well as the unique ferromagnetic behavior of this intermetallic compound. - Graphical abstract: Theoretical and experimental reinvestigation of the magnetic structure of MnFe{sub 4}Si{sub 3} for a better understanding of its large magnetocaloric effect (MCE). - Highlights: • Strong magnetic transition from paramagnetism to ferromagnetism at about 302(2) K. • MCE associated to a partial reordering of the spins between ∼270 K and 300 K. • DFT calculations show strong relation between MCEmore » and spintronic materials.« less