| Abstract: | A highly homogeneous and nearly monophasic PrBa2Cu4O8 compound has been synthesized at 1 atm of oxygen via a route employing polymeric ethylenediamine/citric acid precursors. The PrBa2Cu4O8 compound with a trace amount of BaCuO2 was synthesized for the first time by sintering the pellets at the temperature of 875 °C under ambient oxygen pressure. The temperature coefficient of the resistivity is positive below 190 K while above 190 K is negative. The superconducting transition was not detected down to 4.2 K. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and transport and magnetic measurements. |
