Synthesis and superconductive characterisation of RuSr2NdxGd1-xCu2O8 compounds (x=0, 0.09, 0.18, 0.35)

We prepared various RuSr2NdxGd1-xCu2O8 samples with systematically varying Nd amounts by x=0, 0.09, 0.18 and 0.35. The solid state route involved mixed oxides (NdxGd1-x)2O3 obtained by coprecipitation. The XRD and microstructural analysis showed that a high phase purity was obtained. The Nd solubility limit can be placed between x=0.18 and x=0.35. The superconducting transition temperature dramatically decreased with increasing Nd content, confirming that Nd entered the lattice. The field dependence of superconducting transitions exhibited a polycrystalline behaviour.