Magnetocaloric effect in nano- and polycrystalline manganite $La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3}MnO_3$

TL;DR

This study compares the magnetocaloric effect in nano- and polycrystalline La0.7Ca0.3MnO3, revealing broader temperature response in nanocrystals and evaluating their potential for magnetic cooling applications.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of magnetocaloric properties in nano- and polycrystalline manganites, highlighting the broader temperature range in nanocrystals and assessing their application potential.

Findings

Broader temperature interval of magnetocaloric effect in nanocrystals.

Nanocrystalline manganite shows higher relative cooling power.

Structural characterization confirms phase purity and crystallinity.

Abstract

$La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3}MnO_3$ samples were prepared in nano- and polycrystalline forms by sol-gel and solid state reaction methods, respectively, and structurally characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties determined by ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements are discussed. The magnetocaloric effect in this nanocrystalline manganite is spread over a broader temperature interval than in the polycrystalline case. The relative cooling power of the poly- and nanocrystalline manganites is used to evaluate a possible application for magnetic cooling below room temperature.