Microstructure and giant baro-caloric effect induced by low pressure in Heusler Co_(51)Fe_(1)V_(33)Ga_(15) alloy undergoing martensitic transformation

Solid-state refrigeration based on the magneto-or mechano-caloric effect,including elasto-and barocaloric in ferroic phase transition materials is promising to replace the current vapor compression refrigeration in consideration of environmental-friendliness and energy-saving.However,both high driven field and small thermal changes in all of these caloric materials hinder the development of solid-state refrigeration.Here we report a giant baro-caloric effect near room temperature induced by a low hydrostatic pressure in Co-based Co_(51)Fe_(1) V_(33)Ga_(15) Heusler alloy.The maximum adiabatic temperature change under the applied pressure change ofΔp=0.1-100 MPa can be as high asΔ_(Tad)^(Max)=7.7 K(Δ_(Tad)^(Max)/Δpreaches up to~7.7 K kbar-1),surpassing theΔ_(Tad)^(Max)/Δpvalue reported hitherto in baro-caloric alloys.In addition,the microstructure is also studied by using the electron microscopes.Along with the austenite and martensite,the submicron V-rich particles are precipitated in this alloy,which are believed to account for enhancing mechanical properties.