Magnetocaloric response of submicron (LaAg)MnO3 manganite obtained by Pechini method

Lanthanum-based manganites containing monovalent silver cations and having grain sizes below 0.30 microns were synthesized via Pechini method, by using a moderate calcination temperature (900 °C). The incorporation of Ag + ions into the perovskite crystal structure was verified by means of EDS, EELS, and XPS techniques. Monovalent cations provoked a rhombohedral deformation of the crystal structure, together with the formation of Mn 3+ –Mn 4+ pairs yielding to a noticeable ferromagnetic behavior characterized by high saturation magnetization (47 Am 2 /kg) and a steep Curie transition at 308 K. This combination of magnetic properties enable an excellent magnetocaloric performance, with magnetic entropy variations of up to 5.6 J/kg K (for magnetic field Δ H = 5.0 T) and refrigerant capacities of up to 184 J/kg. Graphical Abstract