Superconductivity and magnetism in Gd(Ba2-xGdx)Cu3Oy solid solution

Solid solution of Gd(Ba2-xGdx)Cu3Oy was synthesized by a citrate pyrolysis process, and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, iodometric titration, electrical resistivity and magnetization. The solubility limit have been found to extend up to x=0.4. The orthorhombic distortion decreases with increasing x and the compound becomes tetragonal for x >0.2. Superconductivity can be observed in the orthorhombic phase as well as in the tetragonal phase but only for samples with a metal-like resistivity (x <0.3). The antiferromagnetic ordering temperature T-N is 2.24 K for sample with x=0 and increases to 2.45 K for x=0.2.