Review of the Magnetocaloric Effect in RMnO3 and RMn2O5 Multiferroic Crystals

It is known that some of RMnO3 and RMn2O5 (R = rare earth) multiferroic crystals reveal a strong interplay between their magnetic and electric order parameters, paving the way for applications in spintronic technologies. Additionally, recent works have also pointed out their potential utilization as refrigerants in magnetocaloric cooling systems for cryogenic tasks. In this paper, recent advances regarding the magnetocaloric properties of both RMnO3 and RMn2O5 families of multiferroics are reviewed. With the aim of understanding the RMnO3 and RMn2O5 magnetocaloric features, their structural and magnetic properties are discussed. The physics behind the magnetocaloric effect as well as some of its key thermodynamic aspects are also considered.