Ferrimagnetism in manganese-rich gallium and aluminium spinels due to mixed valence Mn2+–Mn3+ states

Abstract

Stoichiometric (MnGa₂O₄ and MnAl₂O₄) and Mn-rich (Mn_1.3Ga_1.7O₄ and Mn_1.4Al_1.6O₄) spinels with a small inversion degree (0.14–0.21) were obtained via a co-precipitation route followed by calcination of the as-synthesized coprecipitates at 700–1000 °C under different gas atmospheres (air, N₂ or argon). In situ synchrotron XRD at elevated temperatures reveals the conditions for synthesizing phase-pure materials. The stoichiometry of the samples is confirmed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry as well as by structure refinement of neutron diffraction data of phase-pure specimens. XANES characterization reveals the average oxidation state of manganese to be +2.2 and 2.3 in Mn_1.3Ga_1.7O₄ and Mn_1.4Al_1.6O₄ spinels, respectively. The mixed Mn²⁺–Mn³⁺ valence states are responsible for the ferrimagnetic properties of Mn_1.3Ga_1.7O₄ and Mn_1.4Al_1.6O₄ samples below 48 and 55 K, respectively, as well as for a smaller optical bandgap when compared to stoichiometric spinels.