Metamagnetic transition in the 75 K antiferromagnet Gd4Co2Mg3

Gd4Co2Mg3 (Nd4Co2Mg3 type; space group P2/m; a=754.0(4), b=374.1(1), c=822.5(3)pm and beta = 109.65(4)degrees as unit cell parameters) was synthesized from the elements by induction melting in a sealed tantalum tube. Its investigation by electrical resistivity, magnetization and specific heat measurements reveals an antiferromagnetic ordering at T-N = 75(1) K. Moreover, this ternary compound presents a metamagnetic transition at low critical magnetic field (H-cr = 0.93(2) T at 6 K) and exhibits a magnetic moment of 6.3(1) mu(B) per Gd-atom at 6 K and H = 4.6 T. Due to this transition the compound shows a moderate magnetocaloric effect; at 77K the maximum of the magnetic entropy change is Delta S-M = -10.3(2)J/kg K for a field change of 0-4.6 T. This effect is compared to that reported previously for compounds exhibiting a magnetic transition in the same temperature range. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.