Structural, magnetic and theoretical investigation of the magnetocaloric effect of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3/x(Sb2O3) compound

We report the structural and magnetocaloric properties of the perovskite manganite composites (La0.6Sr0.4MnO3)/x(Sb2O3) (LSMO/Sb2O3) (x = 0.07 and 0.18) synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study was employed to confirm the formation of both the phases in composites. The results of magnetic measurements indicate that Sb2O3 mainly segregates at the grain boundaries of LSMO. Arrott analysis and master curve behavior reveal a second-order magnetic phase transition in the composite samples. Magnetic entropy change increases with increasing Sb2O3 content and a maximum of 3 J/kg. K at 2 T has been observed in the LSMO/(0.18) Sb2O3 sample. The enhanced ΔSM of these composites makes them attractive for potential applications.