Effect of nanocrystalline structure on magnetocaloric effect in manganite composites (1/3)La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/(2/3)La0.8Sr0.2MnO3

• Composites undergo magnetic transition of the second order.
• Relative cooling power RCP is three times larger than for parent phases.
• Magnetocaloric parameters of nanocomposites more sensitive for magnetic field.
• Electrical resistivity limits eddy currents.

Poly- and nanocrystalline manganite composites (1/3)La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/(2/3)La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 prepared by the sol–gel method are studied by magnetic and transport measurements. The Arrott plots and universal curve of magnetic entropy change confirm that magnetic transition is of the second order. The magnetocaloric effect of polycrystalline composite is found to be roughly twice smaller as compared to the polycrystalline Ca- and Sr-based parent phases. The nanocrystalline composite of the same composition exhibits only 8% reduction of magnetic entropy change. Due to the large temperature spread of magnetocaloric effect the relative cooling power RCP of nanocrystalline composite is about three times larger as compared to the nanocrystalline Ca- and Sr-based parent phases. The maximum magnetic entropy change DSMAX and relative cooling power RCP are found to be more sensitive to magnetic field strength for the nano- than for polycrystalline composites studied.