Review of magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in the intermetallic compounds of rare earth with low boiling point metal(s)

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in many rare earth (RE) based intermetallic compounds has been extensively investigated during last two decades, not only due to their potential applications for magnetic refrigeration but also for better understanding of the fundamental problems of the materials. This paper reviews our recent progress of magnetic properties and MCE in some binary or ternary intermetallic compounds of RE with low boiling point metal(s) (Zn, Mg, and Cd). Some of them are exhibiting promising MCE properties which make them also attractive for low temperature magnetic refrigeration. Characteristics of the magnetic transition, origin of large MCE as well as the potential application of these compounds were thoroughly discussed. Additionally, a brief review of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties in the quaternary rare earth nickel boroncarbides RENi2B2C superconductors is also presented.