Synthesis of the RuSr₂GdCu₂O_8±z Compound at Ambient Pressure Through a Solid State Reaction, Melts and Sol-Gel by Acrylamide Polymerization Methods

The RuSr2GdCu2O8 +/- z (Ru-1:2:1:2) compound, was synthesized at ambient pressure by solid-state reaction, melts, and sol-gel by acrylamide polymerization methods with the following intervals of temperature reaction: T= 960-1015A degrees C, T=1450A degrees C, 135-980A degrees C respectively. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) result gave us an idea about the temperature interval where the Ru-1:2:1:2 compound was formed. Results of X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD) data show the formation of the Ru-1:2:1:2 phase, which crystallizes in a tetragonal structure with a space group P4/mmm. The synthesis of the Ru-1:2:1:2 compound by the melts route was found to be faster than the other synthesis methods. Studies by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique gives a particle size around 1-6 mu m. The chemical compositions of the samples were obtained by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The resistance vs. temperature data of the samples annealed in oxygen flux for 6, 12, 41 and 64 h, at T=960A degrees C, shows a semiconductor behavior.