Simultaneous Probing of First-Order Phase Transitions: a Path to Unveil Gd<sub>5</sub>Si<sub>2</sub>Ge<sub>2</sub> Magnetostructural Transition Driving Mechanism

ORAL

Abstract

Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ undergoes a first-order magnetostructural phase transition that gives rise to its giant magnetocaloric response, making it a promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration technologies [1]. Nevertheless, the kinetics of this transition remain not fully understood, hindering the optimization of the magnetic refrigeration devices, which require rapid transitions to achieve high frequencies/performance [2].

In this study, an innovative experimental setup that examines transition kinetics under high magnetic fields was designed, implemented and validated at High Field Magnetic Laboratory (HFML), enabling simultaneous, time-resolved measurements of temperature, magnetization, and strain on bulk Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ samples. The evolution of the phase transformations was probed in full detail by applying a specific magnetic field protocol [3], revealing partial decoupling between the structure and magnetic lattices during the transition process.

Our work not only advances fundamental understanding of phase transition kinetics in this and other magnetocaloric materials but also provides a powerful platform to study and optimize other material classes, paving the way for more efficient energy technologies.

[1] J. Appl. Phys. 126, 243902 (2019)

[2] Advanced Energy Materials 5, 1401639 (2015)

[3] Materials Today Physics 42, 101388 (2024)

*This work was performed within the IFIMUP group, supported by the projects LA/P/0095/2020, UIDB/04968/2025 and UIDP/04968/2025 from FCT. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme through the European Innovation Council under the grant agreement No. 101161135 – MAGCCINE. Also, from the ISABEL-project and Remade@ARI project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon. We acknowledge the support of HFML-FELIX, member of the European Magnetic Field Laboratory (EMFL). The work at Ames National Laboratory, which is operated for the U.S. DOE by Iowa State University under contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11358, was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering Division.

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Publication: There are 3 expected papers under preparation as outputs of this work. One of them will focus on the innovative experimental setup designed and implemented. The others will focus on the phase transitions evolution of two different magnetocaloric materials - Gd5Si2Ge2 and Heusler Alloy Ni-Mn-In.

Presenters

  • Leonor Andrade

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

Authors

  • Leonor Andrade

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

  • A. M. R. Soares

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

  • E. Dilmieva

    • HFLM-FELIX / EMFL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

  • João P. E. Araújo

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

  • U. Zeitler

    • HFLM-FELIX / EMFL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

  • R. Almeida

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

  • C. Duarte

    • Departamento de Engenharia Eletrotécnica, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal

  • K. Dixon-Anderson

    • Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames National Laboratory of US DOE, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3020, United States, Department of Materials Scie

  • Yaroslav Mudryk

    • Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames National Laboratory of US DOE, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3020, United States, Department of Materials Scie
    • Ames National Laboratory

  • G. N. P. Oliveira

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal

  • J. H. Belo

    • IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal