Structural and Magnetic Studies on Electrochemically Lithiated $PrBa_2Cu_3O_y$

A lithiated compound $Li_{0.1}Pr^{3+}Ba_2Cu_3O_y$ has been successfully prepared by electrochemical method, which is achieved with a two electrode cell of the type: Metal(Li)/($Li^+\;,\;ClO_4^-$) + propylene carbonate/$PrBa_2Cu_3O_y$. All Pr ions in the lithiated compound are stabilized with a trivalent state as the other rare earths (Ⅲ) substituted in the 90K superconductor lattice ($Y_{1-x}Ln_x^-Ba_2Cu_3O_{7-{\delta}}$). Powder X-ray diffraction analysis shows that both compounds, $PrBa_2Cu_3O_y$ and $Li_{0.1}PrBa_2Cu_3O_y$ are isostructural with the 90 K superconductor, ($YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-{\delta}}$), nevertheless both of them are non-metallic and also non-superconducting down to 10 K. Magnetic susceptibility ${\chi}$ vs. temperature data indicate that Curie contribution from the magnetic ions (Pr and Cu) is weakened on the one hand, but on the other hand temperature-independent part of susceptibility ${\chi}_o$ increases depending upon the rate of lithium intercalation in $PrBa_2Cu_3O_y$ lattice.