Cation distribution in ferrite nanoparticles and thin films using X-ray absorption spectroscopy methods

Cation distribution in spinel ferrites strongly influences their magnetic and catalytic properties. Cation distribution depends on the electronic configuration and valence of ions, but rearrangement can occur at the nanometric scale. The optimization of the technological applications of ferrites is therefore reliant on detailed information on the distribution of cations between the octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the spinel structure. To this end, X-ray absorption spectroscopy has proven to be a very powerful method due to the ability to study selectively and independently the coordination environment of two cations present in ferrites. The information provided is reviewed in this chapter.