Magnetocaloric phenomena in RE(Co1−X)2 compounds

Abstract Two series of RE(Co 1− x X x ) 2 compounds (RE=Ho and Er, X =p-element) with x 0.15 were investigated regarding to magnetic, transport, elastic and thermodynamic properties. A significant increase of Curie temperatures caused by substitution of p-electron elements for Co has been observed. Simultaneously, weakening of the magnetoresistance and magnetocaloric effect together with suppression of the step on the thermal conductivity curve in the vicinity of the magnetic ordering transition was detected. A change of the character of the magnetic phase transition at T C has been observed in case of 3% Ge and In doping and for more than 7.5% doping of Si for RE=Er, respectively.