Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in La0.7Nd0.3Fe13−xSix compounds

► Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in La0.7Nd0.3Fe13−xSix compounds are reported. ► Transition from a first-order to a second-order type magnetic phase transition at TC with increasing silicon content. ► Itinerant electronic metamagnetic transition above the Curie temperature. ► High values of the magnetic entropy changes in 2 T magnetic field.