Magnetocaloric effect in the La0.62Bi0.05Ca0.33MnO3 compound

Bi-doped lanthanum manganite with chemical composition of La0.62Bi0.05Ca0.33MnO3 has been prepared by the standard solid-state process. The effect of Bi doping on the sintering temperature, the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties has been investigated. Bi2O3 was found to be an effective sintering aid for La0.67Ca0.33MnO3. It was found that small amounts of Bi doping (x = 0.05) can lower the sintering temperature about 200 degrees C. Bi-doped samples also exhibited a large magnetic entropy change, vertical bar Delta S-m vertical bar 3.5 J/kg K under 1 T field at the Curie temperature. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.