A novel Fe87Pr11B2 amorphous alloy with outstanding magnetocaloric properties near 325 K

A novel Fe₈₇Pr₁₁B₂ metallic glass that exhibits outstanding magnetocaloric effect near room temperature was prepared into the shape of amorphous ribbons. The ribbon exhibits soft magnetic properties and high saturation magnetization at 200 K, which is much lower than its Curie temperature at 325 K. No obvious spin-glass-like behavior was found above 200 K. The almost highest maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_m^peak) among Fe-based metallic glasses near the hot end of a residential magnetic refrigerator is most likely attributed to the high concentration of Pr and low content of B in the Fe₈₇Pr₁₁B₂ amorphous ribbon. The high −ΔS_m^peak, large refrigeration capacity (RC) and adiabatic temperature rise (ΔT_ad) make the Fe₈₇Pr₁₁B₂ amorphous alloy better candidate for the potential component of a refrigerant working in a high-efficiency residential magnetic refrigerator.