Synthetic, structural and magnetic studies on chromium orthoborate

Abstract

Effects of various Cr and B sources and preheating conditions on the high temperature synthesis of chromium orthoborate were studied. Precursors were mixed, ground, heated at 1000 degrees C and reground. The obtained products were checked by XRD, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, SEM and density measurements. Some characteristic properties were redetermined and compared with the earlier data. The reaction between hydrated Cr(III) sulfate and boric acid (or hydrated ammoniurn borate salts) was found to be the most effective in providing nanosize crystallites of calcite-type CrBO3 with 99 % purity. Finally, temperature dependent magnetic properties were investigated and paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition was observed at 12 K.