Structural and Magnetic Studies of the LaFe_{11.2}Co_{0.7-x}Mn_xSi_{1.1} (where x=0.1, 0.2) Alloys

The aim of present work was to study the influence of partial substitution of Co by Mn in the LaFe_{11.2}Co_{0.7}Si_{1.1} alloy on its structure and magnetic properties. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed coexistence of dominant pseudobinary fcc La(Fe,Si)_{13}-type phase with minor fraction of α-Fe. Moreover, the increase of Mn content causes decrease of the lattice parameter and the Curie temperature. The values of magnetic entropy change obtained for both investigated alloys are almost identical and close to 12 J/(kg K) under the change of external magnetic field ≈5 T. Investigations of magnetic phase transition confirmed its second order nature in the case of both specimens.