Magnetocaloric effect study of SrFe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ single crystal prepared under high pressure

A high-quality SrFe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ single crystal is prepared by combining floating-zone and high-pressure treatment methods. Its Magnetocaloric effect is investigated by magnetic measurements. A paramagnetism-to-ferromagnetism transition is found at about 270 K and this transition is a second-order one in nature as confirmed by Arrott plots. The saturated moment obtained at 2 K and 7 T is 3.63 μ_B/f.u. The maximal value of magnetic entropy change measured at 5 T is about 4.0 J·kg^-1·K^-1. The full wide at half maximum for a magnetic entropy change peak observed in SrFe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ is considerably large. As a consequence, the relative cooling power value of SrFe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ obtained at 5 T is 331 J/kg, which is greatly higher than those observed in other perovskite oxides. The present work therefore provides a promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature.