High-resolution EELS investigation of the electronic structure of ilmenites

The electronic structure of a series of compounds belonging to the ilmenite family is investigated using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The energy loss near edge structure (ELNES) of the O-K, Ti-L23 and transition metal L23 edges have been recorded in MnTiO3, FeTiO3, CoTiO3, and NiTiO3 with an energy resolution of 0.20–0.25eV. The formal valency and spin-state of the transition metal are determined unambiguously from the analysis of the L23 edges with theoretical ligand field multiplet calculations. The results confirm the evolution of the interatomic distances observed along this series. The O-K edge is analyzed by comparison to the experimental signatures observed in the structurally related Ti2O3 compound and using theoretical molecular orbital results.