Crystallographic and magnetic structure of polycrystalline Zn7−xNixSb2O12 spinels

The crystallographic and magnetic structure of sintered, polycrystalline samples of zinc–antimony spinel, Zn7−xNixSb2O12, have been investigated. The samples were prepared by the modified polymeric precursors method. The magnetic contributions of the Ni2+ ions distributed in three non-equivalent crystallographic sites were investigated, revealing the occurrence of different magnetic regimes. A hysteresis response in the magnetic susceptibility indicates a spin-glasslike behavior at low temperatures.