Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in quaternary boroncarbides compound ErNiBC

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of quaternary intermetallic compound ErNiBC has been investigated by magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The compound undergoes a paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition at TC~5 K and the ground state of Er ion forms a Kramer's doublet state. The magnetic transition is found to be second order in nature. The maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔSMmax) and adiabatic temperature change (ΔTadmax) of ErNiBC are 24.8 J/kg K and 8.6 K, respectively, for a magnetic field change of 0–50 kOe, and the corresponding refrigerant capacity (RC) is 312 J/kg.