Review of magnetocaloric properties in lanthanum manganites

• The description of the magnetocaloric properties of lanthanum manganites in the review could be used as a basis for future research. • The magnetocaloric properties of lanthanum manganites are still being studied for their application in magnetic refrigeration. • Synthesis methods, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties were described. • Application as materials for magnetic refrigeration was also considered in the review. For the efficient implementation of magnetic refrigeration technology in either industrial or domestic ways it is important to review the information available in the literature. This work presents a summary of 231 compounds based on lanthanum manganites with the formula (La 1-x A x-y B y )MnO 3 , where A and B can be: Ag, Ba, Bi, Na, Ca, Ca, Cd, Sr, K, Te, Ce, Pb, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy, Eu, □. The magnetocaloric properties of these compounds have been reported and discussed as a function of the synthesis methods and the substituent cations. A relevant finding deals with the optimum magnetocaloric materials are those that present the highest magnetic entropy change (ΔS M ), and high relative cooling power (RCP). Also, the Curie or operating temperature ( T C ) needs to be the closest or lower than that of the environment, 298 K. The synthesis methods, which influence in some way the magnetocaloric properties, are also analyzed. Most of the manganites found in the literature presented in this work, have been reported to present a ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition of second order.