Unlocking the Potential of Magnetic Refrigeration: Investigating the Compatibility of the Ga-Based Liquid Metal with a La(Fe,Mn,Si)13Hz Magnetocaloric Material for Enhanced Long-Term Stability

Keerthivasan Rajamani; Muhammet Sadaka Toprak; Fengqi Zhang; Achim Iulian Dugulan; Ekkes Brück; Theo van der Meer; Mina Shahi

doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c06724

Unlocking the Potential of Magnetic Refrigeration: Investigating the Compatibility of the Ga-Based Liquid Metal with a La(Fe,Mn,Si)₁₃H_z Magnetocaloric Material for Enhanced Long-Term Stability

ACS Omega. 2023 Dec 12;8(51):49027-49036. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06724. eCollection 2023 Dec 26.

Authors

Keerthivasan Rajamani¹, Muhammet Sadaka Toprak², Fengqi Zhang³, Achim Iulian Dugulan³, Ekkes Brück³, Theo van der Meer¹, Mina Shahi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Thermal and Fluid Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
² Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
³ Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Magnetic refrigeration (MR) is a cutting-edge technology that promises high energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, making it an exciting alternative to traditional refrigeration systems. However, the main challenge to its widespread adoption is cost competitiveness. In this context, the use of liquid metals as heat transfer liquids in the MR has been proposed as a game-changing solution. Unfortunately, the toxicity and flammability of these liquid metals have raised serious concerns, limiting their practical use. In this study, we investigate the compatibility of a nontoxic and nonflammable GaInSn-based liquid metal with a magnetocaloric material, La(Fe,Mn,Si)₁₃H_z, over a 1.5 year period. Our findings reveal nearly a 14% reduction in specific cooling energy and peak-specific isothermal magnetic entropy change for the considered magnetocaloric material. Our study provides valuable insights into the long-term stability of magnetocaloric materials and their compatibility with liquid metals, facilitating the development of more cost-effective and sustainable MR systems.