Thermal expansion and sintering studies of Nd2-xCexCuO4±δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20)

Abstract

Sintering behavior and thermal expansion properties of the solid solution series Nd2-xCexCuO4±δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) have been investigated over the temperature range of 298 to 1100 K. Significant anisotropy in the lattice expansion coefficient in the a/b and c crystallographic axes was noted on increasing Ce content, which is consistent with the tetragonal unit cell. The lattice expansion in the c axis was found to decrease on increasing temperature for compositions up to x = 0.10, which is likely to be from variations in the oxygen stoichiometry. A variation in the sintering behavior was also noted on varying Ce content, with the onset of sintering temperature reaching a maximum at x = 0.10. A secondary sintering stage was noted for compositions with x > 0.10. Associated with the introduction of a secondary stage on sintering is an overall increase in the temperature at which the sintering is at a maximum.