Crystal growth and magnetic properties of spinel (Co,Mn)3O4

Single crystals of cubic and tetragonal spinel Co3−xMnxO4 (x=1.0 and 1.5) were successfully grown using a solvent evaporation method with PbF2 flux. Single crystals in octahedral shape with a size of about 4 mm on edge were obtained from 100 cm3 Pt crucibles. Ferrimagnetic transitions were detected at 170 K and 160 K from the measurements of temperature dependent magnetization and specific heat of Co2MnO4 and Co1.5Mn1.5O4, respectively. Low temperature field-dependent magnetization curves give a strong indication of the non-collinear spin structure, offering an insulating Co3−xMnxO4 system as a possible candidate for examining the multiferroicity.

► High temperature solution growth of single crystals spinel (Co,Mn)O4 in cubic and tetragonal phases.
► Ferrimagnetic orderings were detected by magnetization and specific heat measurement.
► Non-collinear magnetic configuration was extracted from magnetic hysteresis curves.
► We suggest this material as a candidate for examining the multiferroic characteristics.