Precise determination of oxygen content in high Tc ceramic oxide superconductors based on previous chemical analysis

Abstract A procedure for the determination of oxygen in ceramic oxide superconductor samples of the La/Sr/Cu/O type is described. The method relies upon the precise measurement of the metallic element concentrations by flame spectrometry. Oxygen content is subsequently determined by titrimetry using a bromometric technique. A calculation algorithm, based on principles of charge and mass balances, was employed to estimate values for the stoichiometric coefficients in superconducting ceramic samples. Results emphasize the importance of previous chemical analysis accuracy on the determination of oxygen content.