Thermodynamic Properties of La1-xSmxCoO3

We have investigated the bulk modulus and thermal properties of La1-xSmxCoO3 (0≤x≤0.2) at temperatures 1 K≤T≤300 K probably for the first time by incorporating the effect of lattice distortions using the modified rigid ion model (MRIM). The calculated specific heat, thermal expansion, bulk modulus, and other thermal properties reproduce well with the available experimental data, implying that MRIM represents properly the nature of the pure and doped cobaltate. The specific heats are found to increase with temperature and decrease with concentration (x) for the present. The increase in Debye temperature (θD) indicates an anomalous softening of the lattice specific heat because increase in T3-term in the specific heat occurs with the decrease of concentration (x)