Influence of non-magnetic and magnetic ions on the MagnetoCaloric properties of La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9M0.1O3 doped in the Mn sites by M=Cr, Sn, Ti

We have studied the MagnetoCaloric Effect (MCE) in La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9M0.1O3, M=Cr, Sn and Ti, prepared by a conventional solid state reaction. The temperature dependence of magnetization reveals that all compositions exhibit a ferromagnetic (FM) to paramagnetic (PM) transition at T-C temperatures of 369, 326, 228 and 210 K, respectively for La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO), La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Cr0.1O3 (LSMO-Cr), La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Sn0.1O3 (LSMO-Sn), and La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Ti0.1O3 (LSMO-Ti). Using Arrott plots, the phase transition from FM to PM is found to be of second order. The maximum magnetic entropy change (-Delta S-M), at the applied magnetic held of 2T, is found to be 1.27, 1.76, 047 and 1.45 J kg(-1) K-1, respectively for LSMO, LSMO-Cr, LSMO-Sn and LSMO-Ti. The relative cooling power (RCP) for LSMO-Cr, LSMO-Sn and LSMO-Ti is in the order of 50%, 26% and 71%, respectively, compared to gadolinium (Gd). As a result, the LSMO-Cr and LSMO-Ti compounds can be considered as promising materials in magnetic refrigeration technology. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.