Temperature-dependent XRD, IR, magnetic, SEM and TEM studies of Jahn-Teller distorted NiCr2O4 powders

In the present work we report detailed structural, magnetic and phonon properties of NiCr2O4 powders synthesized via a simple coprecipitation method. Temperature-dependent XRD as well as temperature-dependent IR studies reveal that cubic to tetragonal phase transition is lowered due to size effects. Observed changes in the IR spectra indicate that the paramagnetic-ferrimagnetic phase transition taking place at 74 K is related to further lowering of symmetry to orthorhombic system. Assignment of modes was proposed and factor group analyses in three possible symmetries were carried out. Our results show strong anomalies due to the Jahn-Teller tetragonal distortion and weak due to the orthorhombic distortion and onset of collinear ferrimagnetic order. Shifts of wavenumbers observed below 31 K, where the onset of antiferromagnetic ordering occurs, were attributed to spin-phonon interactions. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.