Tuning structure and magnetic properties of table-like magnetocaloric effect in Er_(6)MnSb_(2) by zirconium substitution

In this study,zirconium(Zr) successfully substituted for erbium(Er) in Er_(6-x)Zr_(x)MnSb_(2)(x=0,0.5,1,1.5) of the Fe_(2)P type,with comprehensive characterizations on crystal structure,electronic structure and magnetic properties.According to synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data analysis and density functional theory calculation,Zr does not randomly but preferentially occupy during the doping process and results in weaker magnetic exchange interactions and depressed ordering temperatures.The electronic structure data show that the doping of Zr can weaken interaction between Er and Mn atoms.Owing to multiple transitions,the Er_(6-x)Zr_(x)MnSb_(2)(x=0,0.5,1,1.5) exhibit table-like magnetocaloric effect.Er_(6)MnSb_(2) displays wide δT_(FWHM)(full width at half maximum of the magnetic entropy change curve) of 116 K and high relative cooling power of 388.62 J/kg for 3 T.The maximum magnetic entropy change of Er_(6-x)Zr_(x)MnSb_(2) is increased from 3.81 to 7.69 J/(kg·K) with the Zr content up from x=0 to x=1.5.