Weak ferromagnetism in cobalt oxalate crystals

TL;DR

This study synthesizes and characterizes cobalt oxalate microcrystals, revealing their orthorhombic structure and demonstrating weak ferromagnetism coexisting with antiferromagnetic order.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the magnetic properties of cobalt oxalate crystals, highlighting the coexistence of antiferromagnetism and weak ferromagnetism.

Findings

Orthorhombic crystal structure identified

Presence of antiferromagnetic ordering

Detection of weak ferromagnetic behavior

Abstract

Microcrystals of diaquocobalt(II) oxalate have been synthesized by the coprecipitation reaction of aqueous solutions of Cobalt (II) bromide and oxalic acid. Chemical analysis and thermal experiments revealed that there is only one phase present. X-ray powder diffraction studies show that this compound is orthorhombic with space group Cccm. Molar susceptibility versus temperature measurements show the existence of an antiferromagnetic ordering, however, the hysteresis measured in magnetization measurements as a function of magnetic field reveals a weak ferromagnetic behavior.