In order to study the mechanism of the Bi-2212 phase growth from vitreous m
atrices, the melts of the oxide precursors were quenched by pouring on a st
eel metallic support. By X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, it was shown tha
t Gd-doping had a favourable effect on glass stabilization. A structural mo
del of the initial Bi-2212 phase formation was proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier
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