The effects of Ti substitution for Fe on octahedral sites in magnetite has been investigated through electrical resistivity measurements. In a manner analogous to zinc ferrites, the Verwey transition temperature is depressed with increasing Ti content. The Verwey transition is of first order in ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3\mathrm{-}\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Ti}}_{\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{O}}_4$ in the concentration range 0≤y≤${\mathit{y}}_{\mathit{c}}$=0.012; for ${\mathit{y}}_{\mathit{c}}$≤y≤3${\mathit{y}}_{\mathit{c}}$ the transition is of second order, and for y>3${\mathit{y}}_{\mathit{c}}$ the phase transformation is completely eliminated. The data are correlated with comparable work on dilute zinc ferrites and nonstoichiometric magnetite, and the implications of the findings are discussed.

• Received 16 October 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.46.1975