Structural and magnetic behavior of spinel CuMn2O4 synthesized by co-melting technique

Spinel type CuMn2O4 compound was prepared by co-melting technique. The product was synthesized by the fusion of high purity copper and manganese metals in the presence of oxygen atmosphere. The formation of CuMn2O4 has been confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis and a small percentage of secondary phases of oxides of Cu and Mn have been observed. The magnetic measurements carried out by VSM magnetometer shows the room temperature antiferromagnetic behavior. The occurrence of antiferromagnetism in such a compound is possibly due to the super exchange interaction between Mn ions.