Preparation of Gd2CuO4 via sol-gel in microemulsions.

We have synthesized microparticles of Gd2CuO4 via sol-gel technology in microemulsions, carrying out the sol-gel process inside the microdroplets of the microemulsion. The microemulsion was a mixture of cyclohexane/brij 96/aqueous phase (70:20:10% weight). Urea was used as gelificant agent. The method is based on removing solvents from the mixture applying vacuum in order to obtain a gel when cooling down. By calcinating the gel at low temperatures, we have attained the crystallization of Gd2CuO4 microparticles. Samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), and dc-magnetization (vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM)). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]