Characterization of Structural Properties of LiM_xFe_5-xO₈(M=Al, Cr, Mn) Spinel Solid Solutions

Abstract

The structural properties of series spinel oxides with the general formula, LiM 0.5 Fe 4.5 O 8 (M = Mn, Cr, Al), are investigated. The effect of limited substitution of manganese, chromium and aluminum ions in the lithium ferrite samples on the order-disorder phase transition in the spinel crystal lattice at room temperature is presented. In these materials it is found that the ordered structures have not been isolated as single phases under the present experimental conditions and this fact will certainly influence the magnetic behavior of the compounds. The Rietveld refinements of the synchrotron X-ray diffraction data revealed that transition metal ions hinders the ordering process and Al 3+ ion was shown to be least effective in removing of order.