Study of Pr_xY_1-xBa₂Cu₃O_7-_{<img src='/image/spc_char/delta1.gif' border=0>} high <i>T</i>_c superconductors

Abstract

The substitution of Pr in high <i>T</i>_c superconducting compound plays very interesting role such as annihilation of superconductivity with increase of Pr concentration, which is not adequately explained yet. The samples of the system Y_1-<i>x</i>Pr<i>_x</i>Ba₂Cu₃O_7-_{<img src='/image/spc_char/delta1.gif' border=0>} with compositions (<i>x</i> = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) were prepared by well known conventional ceramic route and chemical route. The results of resistivity, X-ray diffraction, orthorhombicity, X-ray density, bulk density, volume cell and oxygen content of both the routes are reported. The samples prepared by chemical route give better results than conventional ceramic route. Bond distances obtained from neutron diffraction show that the electron phonon interaction becomes weaker and results in loss of superconductivity.