  The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in many rare earth (RE) based intermetallic
compounds has been extensively investigated during last two decades, not only
due to their potential applications for magnetic refrigeration but also for
better understanding of the fundamental problems of the materials. This paper
reviews our recent progress of magnetic properties and MCE in some binary or
ternary intermetallic compounds of RE with low boiling point metal(s) (Zn, Mg,
and Cd). Some of them are exhibiting promising MCE properties which make them
also attractive for low temperature magnetic refrigeration. Characteristics of
the magnetic transition, origin of large MCE as well as the potential
application of these compounds were thoroughly discussed. Additionally, a brief
review of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties in the quaternary rare
earth nickel boroncarbides RENi2B2C superconductors is also presented.
