Abstract
Polycrystalline La0.65-xPrxSr0.3MnO3 (0.0 <= x <= 0.3) manganite samples were prepared using the conventional solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction result indicates that the all samples have rhombohedral (R-3c) structure without any impurity phase. The field-cooled magnetization M(T) of all samples show the ferromagnetic behavior below Curie temperature (T-C). Also, the saturation magnetization and T-C of the samples decreases and the transition become broader with increasing the Pr concentration. The Arrott plot analysis reveals the second order of ferromagnetic transition at T = T-C for all samples. Magnetic entropy change was evaluated from magnetization isotherms. The magnitude of the isothermal magnetic entropy change is nearly composition independent (1.1 +/- 0.15 J kg(-1) K-1 for Delta H = 1 T) and relative cooling power lies between 48.85 and 33.10 J/kg for 0.0 <= x <= 0.3. The phenomenon of reversible entropy change and the convenient adjustment of the Curie temperature by Pr doping, make these samples as a possible candidate for magnetic refrigeration at room temperature. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.