Structure of Spinel

Abstract

This paper reviews the crystal structure of compounds with the general formula AB 2 X 4 , which crystallize with the same atomic structure as the mineral spinel, MgAl 2 O 4 . Three degrees of freedom associated with the detailed atomic arrangements of spinels are considered here: (i) the lattice parameter, a ; (ii) the anion parameter, u ; and (iii) the cation inversion parameter, i. Oxide spinels are used as examples to explore the interrelationships between these parameters.