J Low Temp Phys (2009) 157: 57–66 DOI 10.1007/s10909-009-9931-x Synthesis of the RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8±z Compound at Ambient Pressure Through a Solid State Reaction, Melts and Sol-Gel by Acrylamide Polymerization Methods M. Abatal · E. Chavira · C. Filippini · V. García-Vázquez · J.C. Pérez · H. Noël Received: 30 July 2008 / Accepted: 24 July 2009 / Published online: 11 September 2009 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009 Abstract The RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8±z (Ru-1:2:1:2) compound, was synthesized at ambi- ent pressure by solid-state reaction, melts, and sol-gel by acrylamide polymeriza- tion methods with the following intervals of temperature reaction: T = 960–1015°C, T = 1450°C, 135–980°C respectively. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) result gave us an idea about the temperature interval where the Ru-1:2:1:2 compound was formed. Results of X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD) data show the formation of the Ru-1:2:1:2 phase, which crystallizes in a tetragonal structure with a space group P 4/mmm. The synthesis of the Ru-1:2:1:2 compound by the melts route was found to be faster than the other synthesis methods. Studies by the Scanning Electron Mi- croscopy (SEM) technique gives a particle size around 1–6 μm. The chemical com- positions of the samples were obtained by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spec- troscopy. The resistance vs. temperature data of the samples annealed in oxygen flux for 6, 12, 41 and 64 h, at T = 960°C, shows a semiconductor behavior. Keywords Synthesis · XRD · SEM · Electrical properties M. Abatal · E. Chavira ( ) IIM-UNAM, AP 70-360, 04510 México D.F., Mexico e-mail: chavira@servidor.unam.mx C. Filippini LEPES-CNRS, BP 166, 25 Ave. des Martyrs, 38048 Grenoble, France V. García-Vázquez · J.C. Pérez IF-LR, BUAP, AP J-48, 72570 Puebla, Pue., Mexico H. Noël LCSIM, Ave. Général Leclerc, 35042 Renne, France