Compounds in mixed phase CeBa2Cu3Oy and TbBa2Cu3Oy systems

An analysis of the composition of Ce and Tb barium copper oxide samples with the nominal composition CeBa₂Cu₃O_y and TbBa₂Cu₃O_y, prepared with the same solid state reaction method used for the other superconducting rare earth (R) barium copper oxide RBa₂Cu₃O_7-d compounds, is described. The analysis indicates that these samples are multiphase and consist mostly of 1) the perovskite phases BaCeO₃ or BaTbO₃, 2) CuO, and 3) BaCuO₂. No trace of the oxygen deficient orthorhombic perovskite type structure of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-d could be found in the X-ray diffraction patterns. Consequently, the compounds do not display superconductivity. The magnetization measurements indicate that BaCeO₃ is weakly paramagnetic which is consistent with tetravalent Ce. The BaTbO₃ compound exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at a Néel temperature T_N-35 K, and its magnetic susceptibility above T_N can be described by a Curie-Weiss law with an effective moment that corresponds to tetravalent Tb.