Ferri-magnetic order in Mn induced spinel Co3−xMnxO4 (0.1≤x≤1.0) ceramic compositions

• Synthesis of single phase polycrystalline Co3−xMnxO4 ceramic.
• Change in magnetic ordering with varying Mn concentration.
• The complex spin distribution is contributing to FM ordering with higher Mn.

We report structural and magnetic properties of spinel Co3−xMnxO4 (x=0.1–1.0) synthesized by solid state reaction technique. Rietveld refinement analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, revealed the formation of polycrystalline single phase Co3−xMnxO4 without any significant structural change in cubic crystal symmetry with Mn substitution, except change in lattice parameter. Temperature dependent magnetization data show changes in magnetic ordering temperature, indicating formation of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferrimagnetic (FM) phase at low Mn concentration (x≤0.3) and well-defined FM phase at high Mn concentration (x≥0.5). The isothermal magnetization records established an AFM/FM mixed phase for composition ranging 0.10.5.