Large rotational magnetocaloric effect in GdVO4 single crystal

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in GdVO4 single crystal have been investigated systematically. In addition to the previously reported spin-flop transition at 1 T along the c-axis, other spin-flop transitions also occur along the a and b axes at 1.7 T. Meanwhile, prominent magnetic anisotropy is observed below the paramagnetic temperature, which leads to evident distinction of negative magnetic entropies along the a, b, and c axes. The maximum negative magnetic entropy -Delta S-M along the three axes are 45.91, 46.17, and 56.03 J/kg x K, respectively, at H = 7 T. The anisotropic MCE between the c and a, b axes also induces large rotational MCE (RMCE) in the bc plane, with the maximum value -Delta S-R,S- bc reaching 10.1 J/kg x K at H = 7 T. These remarkable MCE and RMCE values at low temperatures make the GdVO4 single crystal a potential candidate for applications in cryogenic magnetic refrigeration areas.