(Mg,Ni)Ga2O4 Solid Solution with a Spinel Structure

The boundaries of Mg1 - xNixGa2O4 solid solutions (0 <= <= 0.5) with a spinel structure synthesized by the gel combustion method, annealed at 1000 degrees C, and furnace cooled have been experimentally determined for the first time. Mg1 - xNixGa2O4 samples (0 <= <= 1, step = 0.1) with an inverse spinel structure have been studied by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. It has been found that the range of the (Mg,Ni)Ga2O4 solid solution can deviate from the line connecting the stoichiometric compositions MgGa2O4 and NiGa2O4. The diffuse reflectance spectra of Mg0.9Ni0.1Ga2O4 and Mg0.5Ni0.5Ga2O4 spinels show an intense absorption band corresponding to Ni2+ in the near-IR range, which is of great interest for using this property in laser and optoelectronic technologies with minimal negative impact on the environment.