Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of Sr-doped Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 compounds

In this work, we pointed out that Sr substitution for Ca leads to modify the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of $Pr_{0.7}Ca_{0.3-x}Sr_xMnO_3$ compounds. Analyzing temperature dependence of magnetization, M(T), proves that the Curie temperature ($T_C$) increased with increasing Sr content (x); $T_C$ value is found to be 130-260 K for x = 0.0-0.3, respectively. Using the phenomenological model and M(T,H) data measured at several applied magnetic field, the magnetocaloric effect of $Pr_{0.7}Ca_{0.3-x}Sr_xMnO_3$ compounds has been investigated through their temperature and magnetic field dependences of magnetic entropy change ${\Delta}S_m$(T,H) and the change of the specific heat change ${\Delta}C_P$(T,H). Under an applied magnetic field change of 10 kOe, the maximum value of $-{\Delta}S_m$ is found to be about $3J/kg{\cdot}K$, and the maximum and minimum values of ${\Delta}C_P$(T) calculated to be about ${\pm}60J/kg{\cdot}K$ for x = 0.3 sample. Additionally, the critical behaviors of $Pr_{0.7}Ca_{0.3-x}Sr_xMnO_3$ compounds around their $T_C$ have been also analyzed. Results suggested a coexistence of the ferromagnetic short- and long-range interactions in samples. Moreover, Sr-doping favors establishing the short-range interactions.