Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis and Magnetocaloric Properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 Manganite

We report microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis and magnetocaloric properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 manganite. The synthesized La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and magnetization measurements. The XRD results indicated that La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles have polycrystalline nature with monoclinic structure. FE-SEM results suggested that La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles are assembled into rod like morphology. Magnetization measurements show that La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles exhibit transition temperature (T-c) above room temperature. The maximum magnetic entropy change (Delta S-M)(max) was found to be 0.52 J/kg K near T-c similar to 325 K at applied magnetc field of 20 kOe. This compound may considered as potential material for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature.