About the Morin transition in hematite in relation with particle size and aluminium substitution

The results of a Mossbauer study of the Morin transition behaviour in three series of hematite and Al-hematite samples are reviewed and discussed. The first two series comprise small-particle hematites and Al-hematites prepared from decomposition of lepidocrocite, whereas in the third series Al-hematites up to the pm range are obtained from co-precipitated oxinates. It is demonstrated that the Morin transition temperature follows quite well the overall properties of the samples such as particle size and Al substitution, while the transition region is rather determined by all kind of distributive effects. A model involving intermediate states is suggested for the Morin transition behaviour in non-ideal hematite.