Self-assembled lamellar-type nanostructure in manganite spinel (Co,Mn,Fe)3O4

Abstract

Distinct nanostructures in (Co,Mn,Fe)3O4 were investigated using X-ray diffraction techniques combined with transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy, as well as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The size of the checkerboard nanostructure increased with annealing, followed by the appearance of lamellar nanostructures comprising different types of platelike nanodomains because of nanoscopic spinodal decomposition of Mn and Fe ions. Remarkable local strain relaxation at the nanoscale associated with the domain size is suggested to play an important role in the stabilization of these checkerboard and lamellar nanostructures.