Magnetic and Magnetocaloric Properties in Ferrimagnetic Mn2−xCoxSb ( and 0.20) Alloys

The ferrimagnetic Mn_2-xCo_xSb (x = 0.15 and 0.20) alloys were prepared by arc-melting technique. The structure, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties on these compounds were investigated. The tetragonal Cu₂Sb-type structure (P4/nmm space group) was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurements at room temperature for these two alloys. The Co-introduction results in a first-order magnetic transition between the antiferromagnetic and the ferrimagnetic state. Adopting the standard and loop process method, respectively, the measurements of isothermal magnetization were performed and the magnetic entropy changes were evaluated for these alloys.