Magnetocaloric effect in La0.8−xNdxNa0.2MnO3

Single-phase polycrystalline samples of La0.8−xNdxNa0.2MnO3 ( x = 0.00 , 0.05 , 0.10 , 0.15 and 0.20) were prepared by the sol–gel method. Investigations of Curie temperature and magnetic entropy change were carried out in the temperature range 240–340 K and magnetic field range 0–1 T. It was found that the Curie temperature T C decreases with increasing x , and that the maximum magnetic entropy change Δ S M , for x = 0.20 , is 0.3692 J/mol K near the temperature 295 K. The results suggested that these perovskite manganites have some appropriate properties for a good candidate as magnetic refrigeration in the room temperature range.