Large magnetocaloric effect in Pr_1-xPb_xMnO₃ (0.1≤x≤0.5) perovskites

This research reports the findings of large low-field magnetocaloric effect in polycrystalline Pr1–xPbxMnO3 (0.1x0.5) perovskites. It is found that, upon an applied field of 13.5 kOe, the magnetic entropy change (SM) reached values of 3.91, 3.68, and 3.34 J/kg K for x=0.1, 0.4, and 0.5 compositions, respectively. These values are larger than that of Gd (3.32 J/kg K) and were attained by a low applied magnetic field that can be generated by permanent magnets. These superior magnetocaloric features together with a relatively low material cost make the Pr1–xPbxMnO3 perovskites attractive candidate materials for magnetic refrigerators in a temperature range of 150–270