La0.6Ca0.2Na0.2MnO3 Perovskite: Structural, Magnetic, Critical, and Magnetocaloric Properties

Abstract

The results of structural, magnetic, critical, and magnetocaloric characterizations of La0.6Ca0.2Na0.2MnO3 perovskite have been reported. XRD analysis of the sample synthesized using sol-gel method shows good crystallization in the $$ R\overline{3}c $$ rhombohedral structure. From M(T) curve, a second-order ferromagnetic-paramagnetic (FM-PM) phase transition appears at the Curie temperature (TC) around 275 K. Critical exponents (β, γ, and δ) have been evaluated using different techniques such as modified Arrott plots (MAP), Kouvel-Fisher (KF) method, and critical isotherm (CI). We found that the critical exponents of the prepared sample agree well with those of the mean-field model. We have also estimated the magnetic entropy change (−ΔSM) and relative cooling power (RCP) for the sample which obey power laws as −∆SM = a(μ0H)n and RCP = A(μ0H)N, respectively. ΔSM and RCP values were relatively higher, making the sample promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration technology. The estimated values of the magnetic ordering parameters (n and N) are used to confirm the reliability of the evaluated critical exponent.