NaGdS₂: A Promising Sulfide for Cryogenic Magnetic Cooling

The development of effective and eco-friendly cooling technology demands an investigation new magnetocaloric materials. Compounds containing gadolinium are one the best candidates due to large spin-only magnetic moment Gd3+ ions. This work reports on properties AGdS2 family (A = Li, Na, K, Rb) in relation crystal chemistry these compounds. These sulfides crystallize two different structure types: NaCl Li) ?-NaFeO2 Rb). Although would expect larger effect be associated with LiGdS2 its higher magnetic/non-magnetic mass ratio, our study demonstrates that NaGdS2 member leads among investigated series. change from three-dimensional (3D) layered drastically improves properties. Hence, thanks structural features negligible exchange interactions, exhibits a entropy up 54 J kg–1 K–1 at 2.5 K for ?0?H 5 T, which is comparable top-ranked inorganic Gd-based materials operating cryogenic temperature range. figures merit provide evidence promising refrigeration, and, more broadly, this highlights potential field.