Maghemite is a member of the family of iron oxides. It has the same structure as magnetite, that is, it is spinel ferrite and is also ferrimagnetic. Maghemite can be considered as an Fe(II)-deficient magnetite with formula
<math>(\mathrm{Fe}^\mathrm{III}_8)_A[\mathrm{Fe}^{\mathrm{III}}_{40/3}\square_{8/3}]_B\mathrm{O}_{32}<math> where
<math>\square<math> represents a vacancy, <math>A<math> indicates tetrahedral positioning and <math>B<math> octahedral.
Maghemite is formed by the topotactic oxidation of magnetite.
See also
