Control of Covalent Bond Enables Efficient Magnetic Cooling.

ABSTRACT: Magnetic cooling, harnessing the temperature change in matter when exposed to a magnetic field, presents an energy-efficient and climate-friendly alternative to traditional vapor-compression refrigeration systems, with a significantly lower global warming potential. The advancement of this technology would be accelerated if irreversible losses arising from hysteresis in magnetocaloric materials are minimized. Despite extensive efforts to manipulate crystal lattice constants at the unit-cell level, mitigating hysteresis often compromises cooling performance. Herein, we address this persistent challenge by forming Sn(Ge)₃-Sn(Ge)₃ bonds within the unit cell of the Gd₅Ge₄ compound. This approach enables an energetically favorable phase transition, le

SUBMITTER: Tang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862734 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature