CdCo2O4

CdCo2O4 is a quaternary oxide with a spinel crystal structure. It is a member of the family of transition metal oxides with the general formula AB2O4, where A and B are cations. In CdCo2O4, cadmium (Cd) occupies the A sites, and cobalt (Co) occupies the B sites. The spinel structure is cubic and can be described as a cubic close-packed arrangement of oxide ions with cations occupying interstitial tetrahedral and octahedral sites.

This material has garnered interest due to its magnetic and electrical properties. The presence of both cadmium and cobalt, which are transition metals, contributes to its complex magnetic behavior. CdCo2O4 exhibits ferrimagnetic ordering at low temperatures, with a Néel temperature typically reported in the range of 70-80 K. The magnetic moments of the cobalt ions on the octahedral sites are primarily responsible for this ordering.

In terms of electrical properties, CdCo2O4 is generally considered to be an electrical insulator or a semiconductor, depending on synthesis conditions and stoichiometry. The electrical conductivity can be influenced by factors such as defects in the crystal structure and the oxidation states of the cobalt ions. Research has explored its potential applications in areas such as magnetic recording media and thermoelectric devices, although practical implementation remains challenging. The synthesis of CdCo2O4 often involves solid-state reactions at elevated temperatures.