Synthesis, structural, and magnetic characterisation of magnesium-doped lithium ferrite of composition Li0.5Fe2.5O4

Spinel-related magnesium-doped Li0.5Fe2.5O4 has been synthesised by heating magnesium-substituted corundum-related α-Fe2O3 with Li2CO3 at 600°C which is ca. 600°C lower than the temperature normally used to prepare metal-doped Li0.5Fe2.5O4 by conventional sintering methods. Rietveld structure refinement of the X-ray powder diffraction data shows that the Mg2+ ions substitute for Fe3+ ions on the tetrahedral sites whilst the Li+ ions are located on the octahedral sites. The 57Fe Mössbauer spectrum and magnetic measurements are consistent with this structural model.