High Temperature Superconductors (${\rm Y}_{1-x}{\rm Nd}_{x}$ )Ba2Cu3O7-δ Obtained by Acetate Method

Bulk ceramic samples with chemical composition (Y
_1-x
Nd
_x
)Ba
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-δ
, where x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1 were sintered by a proposed acetate method. The samples were then submitted to structural characterization by X-ray diffraction with crystal structure refining using the Rietveld method. AC electrical resistivity measurements from ambient temperatures down to 4.2 K were performed, as well as magnetic measurements of magnetic moment as function of temperature and magnetic hysteresis loop. Results have shown superconductivity with critical temperatures of about 91 and 60 K for pure YBa
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-δ
(x = 0) and pure NdBa
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-δ
(x = 1) samples, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy images were also analyzed, revealing a regular parallel-piped grain shape. The proposed method showed as an advantage to reduce the grinding time without any considerable degradation on structural or superconducting properties of pure YBa
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-δ
(x = 0) or pure NdBa
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-δ
( x = 1), as related to samples prepared by a conventional solid state route.