Structure, magnetism, and magnetocaloric properties of MnFeP1−xSix compounds

Mn Fe P 1 − x Si x compounds with x=0.10,0.20,0.24,0.28,…,0.80,1 were prepared by high-energy ball milling and solid-state reaction. The structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties are investigated as a function of temperature and magnetic field. X-ray diffraction studies show that the samples in the range from x=0.28 to 0.64 adopt the hexagonal Fe2P-type structure with a small amount of second phase which increases with increasing Si content. The samples with lower Si content show the orthorhombic Co2P-type structure. Magnetic measurements show that the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition temperatures range from 214to377K. Of much importance is the fact that these compounds do not contain any toxic components and exhibit excellent magnetocaloric properties.