Abstract
In the present research work, a phenomenological model is applied to describe the magnetocaloric effect of the La0.57Nd0.1Sr0.13Ag0.2MnO3 system near a second-order phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state. Based on this model, the values of the magnetocaloric properties are predicted from the calculation of magnetization as a function of temperature under different external magnetic fields. The maximum magnetic entropy change (-Delta SMmax) and the relative cooling power are found to be, respectively, 1.51Jkg(-1)K(-1) and 71.96Jkg(-1) for H=2T, making this material a suitable candidate for magnetic refrigeration applications. The magnetic entropy change Delta S has been determined using the Landau theory consistent with the experimental ones. A master curve of the magnetic entropy change confirmed the second order of the magnetic phase transition.