1995 electric properties, superconductors, semiconductors electric properties, superconductors, semiconductors D 8000
-009Formation and Decomposition of LaBa2Cu3O7-δ.-Single-phase tetragonal LaBa2Cu3O7-δ (123) can be prepared by heating a mixture of La2O3, BaCO3, and CuO at 875 • C for 4-16 h under flowing argon, while a mixture of La1+xBa2-xCu3O7-δ (x . apprx.0.2) and BaCuO2 is obtained in air or oxygen. The tetragonal 123 phase transforms into an orthorhombic superconductor with Tc (onset) . apprx.94 K on heating in oxygen at 400 • C. The orthorhombic and tetragonal structures (space groups Pmmm and P4/mmm, resp.) are confirmed by powder XRD; an orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition occurs at δ = 0.2. Under the conditions studied the 123 phase appears to be not an equilibrium phase. -(SKAKLE, J. M. S.; WEST, A. R.; J.