Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Powdered samples and crystals of the antimony isomorphous MnSb2O4 and NiSb2O4 have been prepared using hydrothermal synthesis. The anisotropic elastic and magnetic properties of these tetragonal structures are compared, using low temperature diffraction techniques (X-ray and neutron) and Raman scattering experiments. Magnetostrictive effects in MnSb2O4 are interpreted. An anomalous frequency shift is observed below 70 K and the change of the Grüuneisen constant is interpreted.