Magnetocaloric Materials for Ecological Cooling

Jan 1, 0001

Our laboratory conducts specialized research on rare-earth-based alloys, specifically within the Gd-Ge-Si system, designed to exhibit the giant magnetocaloric effect (MCE). This phenomenon—characterized by a change in magnetic entropy—serves as the core for developing environmentally friendly, gas-free refrigeration technologies. Unlike conventional vapor-compression systems, these solid-state materials offer a path toward more sustainable and energy-efficient cooling solutions.

Research Objectives

  • Tuning the Curie Temperature for Room-Temperature Use: For practical refrigeration, the magnetocaloric effect must be maximized near room temperature. We optimize the Curie temperature (Tc) of Gd-Ge-Si alloys by strategically substituting elements such as Pr, Co, Ti, and Cr, which allow us to shift the transformation points while maintaining structural stability.
  • Enhancing Corrosion Stability in Cooling Media: Since these alloys typically operate in water-based cooling fluids, their long-term stability is critical. We perform detailed electrochemical and potentiodynamic studies in simulated chloride environments (3% NaCl) to evaluate and improve the corrosion resistance of our materials through tailored alloying.
  • Fundamental Magnetic and Anisotropy Analysis: We investigate the relationship between microstructure, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, and phase transformations. By applying the law of approach to magnetic saturation, we precisely calculate anisotropy constants to better understand the low-temperature magnetic behavior and maximize the thermal efficiency of the cooling cycle.
  • Hasiak, M., Chęcmanowski, J. G., Kucharska, B., Łaszcz, A., Kolano-Burian, A. & Kaleta, J. Effect of Co, Ti and Cr Additions on Microstructure, Magnetic Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Magnetocaloric Gd-Ge-Si Alloys. Materials 13, 5758 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13245758
  • Hasiak, M. & Łaszcz, A. Microstructure to thermomagnetic and mechanical properties relationship in Gd75Ge15Si5Pr5 alloy. Journal of Rare Earths 37, 1213–1217 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jre.2019.02.006
  • Hasiak, M., Łaszcz, A., Biały, M. M. & Buczkowska-Fertała, A. Enhancing the relative cooling power of Gd-Ge-Si alloys through F-Block lanthanide alloying. (2024).
  • Hasiak, M. Microstructure and magnetocaloric effect in as-quenched GdGeSi alloys with addition of Ni and Ce. Phys. Status Solidi Appl. Mater. Sci. 213, 1130–1137 (2016).
Amadeusz Łaszcz
Amadeusz Łaszcz
Researcher