Use of inexpensive TSIA in the electrogravimetry of Cu in RBa2Cu3O7-x [R=rare earth] type ceramic superconductor materials

In the determination of cation stoichiometry of High T-c ceramics of the type RBa2Cu3O7-x (R = Nd, Sm, Dy and Er) by wet chemical analyses, Pt gauze was reported to be used for the electrogravimetric estimation of Cu. In this report, we propose an inexpensive alternative based on TSIA to the expensive Pt gauze used in the estimation of cation stoichiometry in RB2Cu3O7-x (R = Nd, Sin, Dy and Er) high T-c ceramics. The results of the present investigation demonstrate that the new system is a viable alternative for the cation estimation.