Large reversible magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic Er₃Si₂C₂ compound

The magnetic properties, magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effects (MCE) of Er₃Si₂C₂ compound were investigated based on theoretical calculations and experimental analysis. Based on the first principles calculations, the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state type in Er₃Si₂C₂ compound was predicted and its electronic structure was investigated. The experimental results show that Er₃Si₂C₂ compound is an AFM compound with the Néel temperature (T_N) of 7 K and undergoes a field-induced first-order magnetic phase transition from AFM to ferromagnetic (FM) under magnetic fields exceeding 0.6 T at 2 K. The magnetic transition process of Er₃Si₂C₂ compound was investigated and discussed. The values of the maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_M^max) and the refrigeration capacity (RC) are 17 J/(kg·K) and 193 J/kg under changing magnetic fields of 0–5 T, respectively. As a potential cryogenic magnetic refrigerant, the Er₃Si₂C₂ compound also provides an interesting research medium to study the magnetic phase transition process.