Infrared investigation of aluminum- and chromium-substituted magnetites and of the lacunar spinels resulting from their oxidation

When Fe³⁺ ions are substituted by aluminum or chromium on magnetite octahedral sites, the ir spectrum shows the conversion of an inverse spinel to a normal spinel. Both broad bands of magnetite are gradually replaced by the four characteristic bands of normal spinels II–III. They are also observed for solid solutions, FeCr₂O₄FeAl₂O₄, with, however, a further band at 780 cm^?1 which may be assigned to Al³⁺ ions on tetrahedral sites. Low-temperature (<400°C) oxidation of these compounds whose sizes are less than 2000 Å results in lacunar spinels III–III. The ir spectrum of these solids is characterized by two absorption bands (as for inverse spinels II–III) except for compounds close to pure γFe₂O₃ in which an order of vacancies could be put in evidence.