Tuning Magnetic Entropy Change and Relative Cooling Power in La_0.7Ca_0.23Sr_0.07MnO₃ Electrospun Nanofibers

Abstract

We present experimental evidence about the magnetocaloric tuning effect in one-dimensional nanostructure fibers mixed-valence manganite as synthesized by electrospinning techniques and under heat treatments of 973, 1073 and 1173 K. The stoichiometry obtained is La0.7Ca0.23Sr0.07MnO3 and Rietveld refinement indicates a single-phase with an orthorhombic (Pnma) crystal structure. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy observations indicate coalescence in granular colonies of La0.7Ca0.23Sr0.07MnO3 nanoparticles to conform nanofibers. Magnetic entropy change is tuned due to heat treatments at 1173 K with maximum values of 1, 1.82 and 2.51 J/kgK for applied external magnetic fields of μ0H = 1, 2 and 3T, respectively, with a maximum magnetic entropy difference at a Curie temperature of 293 K (furthermore, second-order magnetic phase transition was observed). Additionally, for a magnetic field, ~μ0H = 3 T values of 49, 95 and 143 J/kg for 973, 1073 and 1173 K heat-treated samples were obtained.

Keywords

• magnetocaloric effect
• manganite
• nanofibers
• electrospinning