A 92.5 K REBa2Cu3O7-δ SUPERCONDUCTOR STARTING FROM NATURAL MIXTURE OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS

Abstract

The processing and characterization of a REBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ, sample superconductor is described, where RE corresponds to a natural mixture of rare earth elements extracted from xenotime mineral. This mixture contains no Pr and, contrary to previous studies, can substitute the yttrium atom in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ, (YBCO) without deleterious effects in structural and superconducting properties, as measured by X-ray diffraction, resistivity and magnetoresistivity. Our sample presented T c =92.5 K and average lattice parameters a=3.821 Å, b=3.896 Å and c=11.686 Å, which are very similar to YBCO properties. Considering that the process of separation of Y (and other pure rare earth elements) from any natural mixture involves high costs, our system represents a practical alternative to YBCO compound.