Weak ferromagnetism in cobalt oxalate crystals

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.