Magnetism and magnetocaloric effect in YNi4Si-type RNi4Si (R=Ce, Gd, Tb and Dy) compounds

•Magnetic measurements indicate the intermediate valence state of cerium in CeNi4Si.•MCE of GdNi4Si reaches value of −22.9 J/kg K in 0–140 kOe near ~28 K.•MCE of TbNi4Si reaches value of −13.5 J/kg K in 0–140 kOe near ~42 K.•MCE of DyNi4Si reaches value of −15.6 J/kg K in 0–140 kOe near ~22 K.•Contrary to GdNi4Si, the TbNi4Si and DyNi4Si exhibit hysteresis loop at 2 K.

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of YNi4Si-type RNi4Si (R=Ce, Gd, Tb and Dy) compounds have been investigated. Magnetic measurements indicate the intermediate valence state of cerium in YNi4Si-type CeNi4Si. The magnetocaloric effect of GdNi4Si, TbNi4Si and DyNi4Si are calculated in terms of isothermal magnetic entropy change and they reach maximum values of −22.9 J/kg K, −13.5 J/kg K and −15.6 J/kg K for a field change of 140 kOe near ~28 K, 47 K and 27 K and they show maximum values of −12.7 J/kg K, −7.8 J/kg K and −9.3 J/kg K for a field change of 50 kOe near ~28 K, 42 K and 22 K, respectively. In contrast to GdNi4Si, the magnetization-field isotherms for TbNi4Si and DyNi4Si exhibit hysteresis loop at 2 K due to strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

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