Magnetocaloric effect in nano- and polycrystalline manganite $L{a}_{0.7}C{a}_{0.3}Mn{O}_3$

$L{a}_{0.7}C{a}_{0.3}Mn{O}_3$ samples were prepared in nano- and polycrystalline forms by sol-gel and solid state reaction methods, respectively, and structurally characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties determined by ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements are discussed. The magnetocaloric effect in this nanocrystalline manganite is spread over a broader temperature interval than in the polycrystalline case. The relative cooling power of the poly- and nanocrystalline manganites is used to evaluate a possible application for magnetic cooling below room temperature.