Physical properties and the magnetocaloric effect in Ho2Pt2In

Abstract

Polycrystalline samples of Ho2Pt2In were studied by means of low-temperature electrical resistivity, ρ(T), heat capacity, Cp(T), magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), and magnetization, M(H) measurements. The compound was found to undergo a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition at TC = 18 K and another phase transition at T1 = 8.3 K, likely a magnetic structure reconstruction into an antiferromagnetic-like state. Furthermore, magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in Ho2Pt2In was investigated via comprehensive inspection of magnetization isotherms collected near the magnetic phase transitions. The results revealed the second-order character of the transitions at TC and T1. The compound was found to exhibit the MCE characteristics fairly similar to those of typical magnetic refrigerant materials.