Research Projects

This project aims to develop sustainable materials for molecular magnetic refrigeration, driven by the magnetocaloric effect (MCE). Magnetic refrigeration is environmentally friendly and offers numerous benefits, such as less energy usage, eco-friendliness, and a high material lifecycle. To achieve quick material response to the external magnetic field, isotropic metal ions are sought. Traditionally, iron and gallium-doped gadolinium oxides are used for commercial magnetic coolants, but recent advancements in molecular 4f-clusters, particularly those containing the Gd(III) ion, have shown potential for cryogenic magnetic cooling applications. The nonmagnetic components of molecular clusters do not directly influence magnetic cooling but tend to lower MCE by taking up weight and space. To enhance MCE, highly dense metal clusters utilizing small multidentate ligands can be synthesized. The project focuses on synthesizing highly stable high nuclearity discrete and polymeric Gd(III) clusters and evaluating the change in magnetic entropy. Experimentally, weak magnetic interactions lead to low-lying excited states, which can enhance magnetic entropy. To evaluate MCE and investigate the effect of magnetic interaction on the change in magnetic entropy, the project proposes synthesizing heterometallic Mn(II)-Gd(III) clusters, which render weak magnetic interactions.