2026/05/25 by Aritz Herrero, Andrei F. Gubkin, Henry E. Fischer +5 · 1 voice
Materials Science · #Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials #Magnetic and transport properties of perovskites and related materials #Shape Memory Alloy Transformations
paper · doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2026.188876
openalex publication_date 2026/05/25 · openalex created_date 2026/05/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/11
The rotating magnetocaloric effect (RMCE) offers a promising alternative to conventional magnetocaloric configurations by taking advantage of magnetic anisotropy to simplify device architecture and enhance refrigeration efficiency. In this study, the RMCE in a high-quality single crystal of Tb 3 Ni is investigated, a compound previously shown to exhibit significant magnetocaloric behavior along its easy axis of magnetization. By measuring the magnetization and corresponding entropy change along the three principal crystallographic axes using a discontinuous measurement protocol, we verify the anisotropic magnetic properties and derive the RMCE from rotations between hard ( a , b ) and easy ( c ) axes of magnetization. Our results show a maximum value for the rotating entropy change of 19.5 J kg −1 K −1 for µ 0 H = 7 T around 60 K, within the critical temperature window for industrial gas liquefaction applications. Neutron diffraction and magnetic Pair-Distribution Function (mPDF) analysis reveal that the origin of this large anisotropic response lies in a partially ordered incommensurate spin-density wave phase and persistent short-range ferromagnetic (FM) correlations. These complex magnetic states enable the release of a substantial amount of magnetic entropy when the field is applied along the easy c -axis, effectively driving the large RMCE. Comparison with other RMCE materials confirms Tb 3 Ni as one of the most promising candidates in this temperature regime, offering both a large magnetic entropy change and a wide operating window.