Synthesis of PTBa2Cu4O8 by solution method under ambient oxygen pressure

A highly homogeneous and nearly monophasic PrBa2Cu4O8 compound has been syn thesized at 1 atm of oxygen via a route employing polymeric ethylenediamine /citric acid precursors. The PrBa2Cu4O8 compound with a trace amount of BaC uO2 was synthesized for the first time by sintering the pellets at the temp erature of 875 degrees C under ambient oxygen pressure. The temperature coe fficient of the resistivity is positive below 190 K while above 190 K is ne gative. The superconducting transition was not detected down to 4.2 K. Samp les were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and transport and magnetic measurements.