Magnetic studies on Fe2MoO4

Magnetization measurements, neutron diffraction studies, and Mössbauer spectroscopy have been used to investigate the unusual magnetic properties of the inverse spinel oxide Fe2MoO4. It is concluded that the Mo4+ ion is not low-spin (S = 0), as had previously been postulated, but has two unpaired electrons which play a crucial role in the overall magnetic behavior of the compound. The small moment of 0.2μB per formula and thermoremanent behavior below 50°K are thought to be due to a strong B-B interaction, comparable to the A-B interaction, resulting in a breakdown of the Néel model.