Investigation of the magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric properties of the Mn2FeSbO6 ilmenite

The magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric properties of both mineral and synthetic melanostibite Mn2FeSbO6 with ilmenite-type structure have been studied. Mn2FeSbO6 orders ferrimagnetically below 270 K and is found to undergo a second-order magnetic phase transition. The associated magnetic entropy change was found to be 1.7 J/kg K for the mineral and 1.8 J/kg K for the synthetic melanostibite for 5 T field change. For the synthetic Mn2FeSbO6 the adiabatic temperature change was estimated from magnetic- and specific heat measurements and amounts to 0.2 K in 1 T field change. Perspectives of the functional properties of Mn2FeSbO6-based materials are discussed.

► The magnetic phase transition of both mineral and synthetic melanostibite is studied.
► Mn2FeSbO6 exhibits an ilmenite-type structure with alternating layers of Mn and Fe/Sb.
► Mn2FeSbO6 undergoes a second-order magnetic phase transition close to room temperature.
► The magnetocaloric properties of this ferrimagnetic system are investigated.