Superconductivity in the La2-x-yPrySrxCuO4system

Abstract
The effect of partially substituting praseodymium for lanthanum in the superconducting materials La2-xSrxCuO4 has been investigated. Powder neutron diffraction work demonstrated that only minor structural changes occur; however, marked differences in electrical properties were found. Compounds of the general formula, La1.62-xPrxSr0.18CuO4, synthesised using a precipitation method from Pr3+ compounds, were found to be semiconductors in the range 01.62-yPr0.18SryCuO4-phase region a change from semiconducting to superconducting behaviour was found on increasing the level of strontium doping.