Studies on La2-xPrxCayBa2Cu4+yOz (0.1 < x < 0.5) type mixed oxide superconductors

TL;DR

This study investigates the structural and superconducting properties of La2-xPrxCayBa2Cu4+yOz oxides, revealing increased Tc with higher Pr content and identifying a maximum Tc of approximately 58 K at x=0.5.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how Pr substitution enhances Tc in La-based cuprate superconductors, supported by comprehensive structural and electrical measurements.

Findings

All samples are tetragonal with P 4/mmm symmetry.

Tc increases with Pr content, reaching ~58 K at x=0.5.

Structural and superconducting properties are correlated with Pr concentration.

Abstract

The La2-xPrxCayBa2Cu4+yOz (LaPrCaBCO) mixed oxides have been studied for their structural and superconducting properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), d. c. resistivity, d. c. susceptibility and iodometric double titration. All the LaPrCaBCO samples for x = 0.1 - 0.5, exhibit tetragonal crystalline structure with P 4/mmm space group as determined by Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction data. With increasing x, enhancement in Tc is observed, which is quite interesting for Pr substituted high Tc oxides. Maximum Tc ~ 58 K has been observed for x = 0.5(La-2125 stoichiometry). The results of structural studies and superconducting property measurements are presented in light of increase in Tc in LaPrCaBCO system with increasing Pr concentration.