Abstract
The effect of Mn addition on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of the La 0.8 Ce 0.2 Fe 11.4-x Mn x Si 1.6 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) compounds was investigated. It was revealed that the transition temperatures of the compounds are sensitive to Mn composition. The temperatures are shifted from 177 to 121 K for Mn composition from 0.0 to 0.3. Moreover, thermal lag and magnetic hysteresis loss of the compounds are reduced largely due to Mn addition. A good MCE with a large and almost constant refrigerant capacity in a large temperature span over 50 K was achieved in the investigated compounds. The investigated compounds are promising magnetic entropy change materials. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.