Enhanced magnetic refrigeration performance in metamagnetic MnCoSi alloy by high-pressure annealing

MnCoSi alloy exhibits a potential magnetocaloric effect during magnetic field-induced metamagnetic transition. However, the accompanying near-zero entropy change under low magnetic field variation, coupled magnetic hysteresis and poor mechanical properties limit its further application in magnetic refrigeration. In this work, we substantially enhance the magnetic cooling capacity and mechanical performance of stoichiometric MnCoSi alloy via the method of high-pressure annealing. Our results demonstrate that high-pressure annealing can serve as an effective method with which to improve the magnetic cooling capacity of MnCoSi alloy. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.