Large magnetic entropy change in compound LaFe11.44Al1.56 with two magnetic phase transitions

It is shown that Fe-based compound LaFe11.44Al1.56, with cubic NaZn13-type structure undergoes both a second order and a first order phase transitions. In small fields, it orders antiferromagnetically at T-N = 186 K, and ferromagnetism is established at T-0 approximate to 127 K. At T > T-0, field-induced metamagnetic transition between the two phases is observed in larger fields. The magnetic entropy change \ DeltaS \, estimated as a function of temperature from magnetization curves, has large values near the first-order transition. Metamagnetic transformation leads to an asymmetric broadening of the maximum with increasing field. This compound may be useful for magnetic refrigeration.