Improved magneto-caloric effect of the Gd50Co50 metallic glass by minor Si addition

In the present work, we studied the effect of minor Si addition on the magneto-caloric effect (MCE) of the Gd50Co50 metallic glass. The Gd50Co50−xSix (x=2, 5) as-spun ribbons show typical amorphous characteristics in structure and magneto-caloric behaviors. The peak values for the magnetic entropy change (−ΔSmpeak) of the Gd50Co50−xSix (x=0, 2, 5) metallic glasses increase significantly with the addition of Si. The mechanism for the enhanced MCE by minor addition of Si was investigated by revealing the relationship between −ΔSmpeak and the Curie temperature in the Gd-Co-based amorphous ribbons.