Abstract
Magnetocaloric effect and order of transition in (La1-xNdx)(2/3)(Ca1-ySry)(1/3)MnO3, prepared by conventional solid-state reaction, have been investigated. Using Banerjee criterion, we demonstrate first-order transition for (J1) and (J2) as well as second-order transition for (J3), (J4), and (J5) samples. The Delta S-M(max) is ranging between 9.18 Jkg(-1) K-1 and 4.87 when Nd and Sr content changes leading to relative cooling power (RCP) varying between 330 and 229.35 J/kg. Both Delta S-M(max) and the RCP are found sensitive to the disorder sigma(2). The universal behavior obtained from Delta S variation curves confirmed the first-order transition for (J1) and (J2) samples and second-order transition for (J3), (J4), and (J5) samples obtained by Banerjee criterion. All samples with second-order phase transition exhibit inhomogeneous character estimated from local exponent n.