Magnetocaloric effect in nanocrystalline manganite bilayer thin films

Abstract

Due to their large surface-volume ratio, thin films are good candidates for magnetocaloric effect applications in refrigeration devices. With this aim, we studied the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the bilayers manganite thin films, La0.88Sr0.12MnO3/La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 and La0.75Sr0.25MnO3/La0.88Sr0.12MnO3, and their control single layer films, La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 and La0.88Sr0.12MnO3. These films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on silicon substrates, resulting in polycrystalline films with average grain size of 35 nm. We found that, for the bilayers, the temperature range of the magnetocaloric effect can be broadened without reducing the refrigerant capacity. Therefore, it is possible to combine the magnetocaloric effect qualities of nanocomposites and thin films in order to improve the performance and expand their potential use in refrigeration devices.