Effect of Ce doping on the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Pr0.5Sr0.5−xCexMnO3 manganites

The magnetic and magnetocaloric effects of manganites of Pr0.5Sr0.5−xCexMnO3 (x = 0, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.1) prepared by standard solid-state reaction method are investigated. Large magnetic entropy changes (ΔSm) with the ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition have been found. The ΔSm and Curie temperature (TC) gradually increase with increasing Ce content. The maximum of magnetic entropy change in a low magnetic change of 15 kOe is about −1.93 J kg−1 K−1 for x = 0.1 sample with a TC value of 310 K. Due to the large ΔSm and tunable TC around the room temperature, it is suggested that Pr0.5Sr0.5−xCexMnO3 could be used as desirable active room temperature magnetic refrigerants.