Cryogenic magnetocaloric effect in a ferromagnetic molecular dimer

Magnetocaloric effect in M-pyrazole-[Nb(CN)(8)] (M = Ni, Mn) molecular compounds

We report a study of magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in cyanido-bridged {[M(II)(pyrazole)(4)](2)[Nb(IV)(CN)(8)]·4H(2)O}(n) molecular compounds where M = Ni, Mn, pyrazole = C(3)H(4)N(2). The substances show a sharp phase transition to a long range magnetically ordered state, with ferromagnetic coupling between M and Nb sublattices in the case of the Ni-based sample 1 (T(c) = 13.4 K) and ferrimagnetic coupling for the Mn-based sample 2 (T(c) = 23.8 K). The magnetic entropy change ΔS due to applied field change ΔH as a function of temperature was determined by the magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The maximum value of ΔS at μ(0)ΔH = 5 T is 6.1 J mol(-1) K(-1) (5.9 J kg(-1) K(-1)) for 1 at T = 14 K and 6.7 J mol(-1) K(-1) (6.5 J kg(-1) K(-1)) for 2 at T = 25 K. MCE data at different applied fields have been presented as one universal curve, which confirms magnetic transitions in 1 and 2 to be of second order. The temperature dependences of the n exponent characterizing the dependence of ΔS on ΔH have been obtained. The n(T(c)) values, consistent with the shape of the magnetization curves, pointed to the 3D Heisenberg behaviour for 2 and some anisotropy, probably of the XY type, for 1. The (H/T(c))(2/3) dependence of the maximum entropy change has been tested in the ferrimagnetic Mn(2)-L-[Nb(CN)(8)] (L = C(3)H(4)N(2), C(4)H(4)N(2)) series.

Fragmenting gadolinium: mononuclear polyoxometalate-based magnetic coolers for ultra-low temperatures

The polyoxometalate clusters with formula [Gd(W(5) O(18) )(2) ](9-) and [Gd(P(5) W(30) O(110) )](12-) each carry a single magnetic ion of gadolinium, which is the most widespread element among magnetic refrigerant materials. In an adiabatic demagnetization, the lowest attainable temperature is limited by the presence of magnetic interactions that bring about magnetic order below a critical temperature. We demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome by chemically engineering the molecules in such a way to effectively screen all magnetic interactions, suggesting their use as ultra-low-temperature coolers.

High-nuclearity 3d-4f clusters as enhanced magnetic coolers and molecular magnets

Four 52-metal-ion 3d-4f cluster complexes featuring a common core of Ln(42)M(10) (Ln = Gd(3+), Dy(3+); M = Co(2+/3+), Ni(2+)) were obtained through self-assembly of the metal ions templated by mixed anions (ClO(4)(-) and CO(3)(2-)). Magnetic studies revealed that the Gd(42)Co(10) and Gd(42)Ni(10) clusters exhibit the largest magnetocaloric effect (MCE) among any known 3d-4f complexes. Replacement of Gd(3+) ions with anisotropic Dy(3+) ions caused significant changes in the magnetic behavior of the clusters; both Dy(42)Co(10) and Dy(42)Ni(10) displayed slow relaxation of the magnetization.