Large magnetocaloric effect in Pr1-xPbxMnO3 (0.1≤x≤0.5) perovskites

This research reports the findings of large low-field magnetocaloric effect in polycrystalline Pr1-xPbxMnO3 (0.1 <= x <= 0.5) perovskites. It is found that, upon an applied field of 13.5 kOe, the magnetic entropy change (Delta S-M) reached values of 3.91, 3.68, and 3.34 J/kg K for x=0.1, 0.4, and 0.5 compositions, respectively. These values are larger than that of Gd (3.32 J/kg K) and were attained by a low applied magnetic field that can be generated by permanent magnets. These superior magnetocaloric features together with a relatively low material cost make the Pr1-xPbxMnO3 perovskites attractive candidate materials for magnetic refrigerators in a temperature range of 150-270 K. (C) 2006 American Institute of Physics.