Structural and magnetic properties of CoMn₂O₄ synthesized by auto combustion method

Combustion synthesized cobalt manganite (CMO) was systematically studied for its structural and magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern with high-intensity peaks at appropriate positions revealed the formation of phase pure and highly crystalline CMO. The distorted tetragonal structure of the CMO unit cell suggested the presence of high spin (d⁴) Jahn–Teller Mn³⁺ ions. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) supported a mixed spinel with Co²⁺, Co³⁺, Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ cations. Electron microscopy confirmed the formation of submicron-sized CMO particles with well-defined lattice fringes, while low-temperature magnetic investigations revealed that the prepared CMO as a ferrimagnetic spinel due to the presence of uncompensated electronic states. The observed unsaturated magnetization, even at large applied fields, confirmed the high degree of spin-canting due to the existence of Yafet–Kittel spin arrangement.