A structural phase transition from cubic $Fdbar{3}m$ to tetragonal $I$4$_1$/$amd$ symmetry with $c/a >$ 1 is observed at $T_{rm{S}}$ = 16 K in spinel GeCo$_2$O$_4$ below the Neel temperature $T_N$ = 21 K. Structural and magnetic ordering appear to be
decoupled with the structural distortion occurring at 16 K while magnetic order occurs at 21 K as determined by magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements. An elongation of CoO$_6$ octahedra is observed in the tetragonal phase of GeCo$_2$O$_4$. We present the complete crystallographic description of GeCo$_2$O$_4$ in the tetragonal $I$4$_1$/$amd$ space group and discuss the possible origin of this distortion in the context of known structural transitions in magnetic spinels. GeCo$_2$O$_4$ exhibits magnetodielectric coupling below $T_{rm{N}}$. The related spinels GeFe$_2$O$_4$ and GeNi$_2$O$_4$ have also been examined for comparison. Structural transitions were not detected in either compound down to $T approx$ 8 K. Magnetometry experiments reveal in GeFe$_2$O$_4$ a second antiferromagnetic transition, with $T_{rm{N1}}$ = 7.9 K and $T_{rm{N2}}$ = 6.2 K, that was previously unknown, and that bear a similarity to the magnetism of GeNi$_2$O$_4$.
Polycrystalline Nd2Ru2O7 samples have been prepared and examined using a combination of structural, magnetic, and electrical and thermal transport studies. Analysis of synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction patterns suggests some site disorder on
the A-site in the pyrochlore sublattice: Ru substitutes on the Nd-site up to 7.0(3)%, regardless of the different preparative conditions explored. Intrinsic magnetic and electrical transport properties have been measured. Ru 4d spins order antiferromagnetically at 143 K as seen both in susceptibility and specific heat, and there is a corresponding change in the electrical resistivity behaviour. A second antiferromagnetic ordering transition seen below 10 K is attributed to ordering of Nd 4f spins. Nd2Ru2O7 is an electrical insulator, and this behaviour is believed to be independent of the Ru-antisite disorder on the Nd site. The electrical properties of Nd2Ru2O7 are presented in the light of data published on all A2Ru2O7 pyrochlores, and we emphasize the special structural role that Bi3+ ions on the A-site play in driving metallic behaviour. High-temperature thermoelectric properties have also been measured. When considered in the context of known thermoelectric materials with useful figures-of-merit, it is clear that Nd2Ru2O7 has excessively high electrical resistivity which prevents it from being an effective thermoelectric. A method for screening candidate thermoelectrics is suggested.
