Impact of Gd ion substitution on the magneto-caloric effect of La0.6-xGdxSr0.4MnO3 (x = 0, 0.0125, 0.05, 0.10) manganites.

Highlights • Magneto-caloric properties of manganite La 0.6-x Gd x Sr 0.4 MnO 3 (x = 0, 0.0125, 0.05, 0.10) was investigated. • Rietveld refinement analysis indicated that the gradual replacement of La with Gd effect. • Magnetization measurements as a function of temperature on all the samples showed a ferromagnetic transition change. • Magneto-caloric parameters measurements suggested the samples for the magnetic refrigeration application. Abstract The effect of slight changes of the chemical composition on Magneto-caloric properties of manganite was investigated on a series of ceramic nano-particles of La 0.6-x Gd x Sr 0.4 MnO 3 (x = 0, 0.0125, 0.05, 0.10) where they synthesized using the Sol-gel method. The X-ray powder diffraction data and the Rietveld refinement analysis indicated that the gradual replacement of La with Gd reduced the cell volume acting in a comparable manner to applying external pressure. Similarly, the magnetization measurements as a function of temperature on all La 0.6-x Gd x Sr 0.4 MnO 3 samples showed a ferromagnetic transition, in which the transition temperature reduced as x increased. The calculated magnetic entropies of all samples of La 0.6-x Gd x Sr 0.4 MnO 3 as a function of temperature suggest a magneto-caloric effect similar to that of pure Gd. These results provide evidence that La 0.6-x Gd x Sr 0.4 MnO 3 compounds have a potential for magnetic refrigeration application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]