Magnetic order near 270 K in mineral and synthetic Mn2FeSbO6 ilmenite

The structural and magnetic properties of Mn2FeSbO6 single-crystalline mineral and ceramic samples synthesized under thermobaric treatment have been investigated, and compared to theoretical predictions based on first-principles electronic structure calculations. This ilmenite system displays a sharp magnetic transition just below the room temperature related to a ferrimagnetic ordering of the Mn2+ and Fe3+ cations, which makes Mn2FeSbO6 a promising candidate for designing functional magnetic materials.