Influence of Nonstoichiometry on Magnetocaloric Effect in $(La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3})_{1 - x}Mn_{1+x}O_3$

Magnetocaloric effect in $(La_{0.7}Ca_{0.3})_{1 - x}Mn_{1 + x}O_3$ manganites with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 has been investigated. It is found a strong influence of nonstoichiometry caused by excessive manganese on the magnetic entropy change. The magnetocaloric effect was evaluated from the isothermal curves of spontaneous magnetization versus the applied magnetic field by using the well-known thermodynamical Maxwell relation. The maximum entropy value, $| \Delta S_{M}^\text{max} |,$ near the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition is shown to increase with the manganese content. The $La_{0.56}Ca_{0.24}Mn_{1.2}O_3$ manganite exhibits the largest $| \Delta S_{M}^\text{max} |$ value equal to $3.09 J kg^{-1} K^{-1}$ at 15 kOe near $T_{C}$ = 267 K. The magnetocaloric effect values obtained allow to propose that the studied manganites are promising materials for future cooling application.