Magnetic and thermal properties of ε-Fe2O3

Abstract

ϵ-Fe2O3 is a phase distinct from other iron oxides and hydroxides. It is antiferromagnetic with TN = 480 °K, and it converts to α-Fe2O3 at 1040 °K. Mössbauer spectra and magnetic properties of the crystallites studied suggest fine particle behaviour, with a large concentration of vacancies. The magnetically split Mössbauer spectrum has broad lines, even at 4.2 °K, where Hhf = (500 ± 5) kOe, δ = (0.7 ± 0.1) mm/s relative to chromium and 2 ϵ = (0.4 ± 0.1) mm/s.