Metamagnetic transition and magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic TbPdAl compound

► TbPdAl compound undergoes a field-induced metamagnetic transition from antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferromagnetic (FM) state below TN, which gives rise to a large magnetocaloric effect (MCE). ► Sign change of MCE from negative to positive with magnetic field and temperature increase is observed below TN near the critical field at which the metamagnetic transition occurs. ► Maximal value of magnetic entropy change for TbPdAl is found to be−11.4 J/kg K with a refrigerant capacity of 350 J/kg around TN for a field change of 0-5 T. ► Good magnetocaloric property of TbPdAl results from the high saturation magnetization caused by the field-induced AFM-FM transition.