Coexistence of antiferro- and ferrimagnetism in the spinel ZnFe2O4 with an inversion degree ? lower than 0.3

Samples with inversion parameter values (?) ranging from 0.27 to 0.14 while maintaining the crystallite size value have been successfully fabricated commercially available powders by mechanical grinding and thermal annealing treatments at temperatures between 400 600 °C. Detailed characterization studies of these samples using X-ray, neutron diffraction magnetic measurements confirmed for first time simultaneous coexistence 2 K short range antiferromagnetic ferrimagnetic ordering a wide parameter. The phase diagram obtained is different one previously reported, which shows long order parameters less than 0.1 presence only ? > 0.2. At room temperature, Rietveld analysis NPD patterns magnetization curves showed paramagnetic behavior in ? 0.1. For higher cationic inversion, typical hysteresis materials were observed saturation agree quite well net moment refinement patterns.