Combustion synthesis as a novel approach in preparation of polycrystalline Y2Cu2O5

•Y2Cu2O5 was successfully synthesized by both the glycine–nitrate and SHS method.•The reduction of synthesis duration down to 12 h has been achieved.•The detailed crystal structure and magnetic analyses of obtained material are provided.

Polycrystalline samples of Y2Cu2O5 were for the first time sintered from precursors obtained by two combustion routes – the glycine–nitrate method (sample S1) and a modified self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (sample S2). The detailed X-ray diffraction analysis has confirmed that both samples are well crystallized and single phase, with the high crystallization degree and cation ordering within a Cu sublattice. Magnetic characterization has shown magnetic behavior typical of pure Y2Cu2O5. The distinctive advantages of these new synthesis routes in comparison to the ceramic sintering are in simplification of the overall procedure as well as in a significant reduction of synthesis duration from several days down to 31 h (S1) or 12 h (S2).