Decomposition of NiMn₂O₄ spinels

Thermal analysis and x-ray diffraction have confirmed that single-phase, cubic-spinel-structured NiMn₂O₄ (2:1 Mn₂O₃:NiO) begins to decompose into a rocksalt and a second spinel-structured phase above 907 °C. The decomposition product in samples air-quenched from 900 and 1200 °C was therefore investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Samples quenched from 900 °C (below decomposition temperature) did not show the expected single-phase microstructure, but instead grains contained nanoregions of a lenticular fringe contrast. Samples quenched from 1050 to 1200 °C were generally composed of Mn-rich spinel grains in addition to grains containing Mn-rich spinel precipitates (30–50 nm) surrounded by a Ni-rich rocksalt matrix. As temperature increased, the spinel grains and precipitates became clearly tetragonal, exhibiting a ferroelastic domain structure arising from a cooperative Jahn–Teller distortion. A decomposition mechanism based on the degree of inversion is proposed to explain these microstructures. Slow cooling samples from 1250 °C resulted in partial recomposition, leading to a microstructure principally composed of cubic spinel and regions of much smaller spinel structured precipitates (50–120 nm) in a rocksalt structured matrix. The slow-cooled samples showed a larger increase in resistance over time than single-phase samples did when held at 400 °C. X-ray diffraction measurements carried out before and after electrical characterization showed a reduction in the amount of rocksalt structured material present in slow-cooled samples.