Method of producing superconducting ceramics by co-precipitation of

Abstract

A process is disclosed for producing a homogeneous mixture of co-precipitated carbonate salts capable of reacting together in an oxygen atmosphere at an elevated temperature to form a superconducting ceramic which comprises forming a first solution by dissolving in a first solvent maintained at a temperature of from about 15.degree. to 35.degree. C. a rare earth compound, an alkaline earth metal compound, and a copper compound capable of reacting with a carbonate ion to form an insoluble precipitate of carbonate salts in the solvent used to form the solution; forming a second solution containing a carbonate-forming compound dissolved in a second solvent miscible with the first solvent; blending the first and second solutions together at a temperature of from about 0.degree. to 15.degree. C. to inhibit formation of a precipitate; and heating the blended solutions to a temperature sufficient to cause the carbonate-forming compound dissolved in the second solution to decompose to form carbonate anions to thereby form a carbonate precipitate comprising a homogeneous mixture of the carbonate salts of the rare earth, alkaline earth metal, and copper compounds dissolved in the first solution.