Strong-Gravity Effect on Twinned Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x Single Crystal

Ultracentrifuge experiments were performed on the twinned Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x (Y123) single crystal at much lower temperatures than the melting point. Two layers structure with slightly different compositions was observed in the sample ultracentrifuged at 250°C(380,000 G), which might be due to the sedimentation of atoms. In the strong gravity layer, it was found that the Y123 phase disappeared, and unknown XRD peaks appeared. Decomposition occurred in the sample ultracentrifuged at 400°C.

Thermodynamic characterization of high-temperature superconductors in the yttrium-barium-copper-oxygen system. The Y123 solid solution (Technical Report)

The aim of this report is to inform the chemical community about a self-consistent thermodynamic data set for the YBa2 Cu3 O6+z (1 ≥ z ≥ 0) solid solution, that is well known as the Y123 phase and possesses superconducting properties at z~1 and low temperatures. About 3300 experimental points obtained in 240 miscellaneous experiments published in 78 papers have been processed simultaneously in order to obtain the most reliable Gibbs energy function of the Y123 phase in the temperature range from 250 to 1300 K and pressures up to 100 kbar. A function is recommended for approximation of the Gibbs energy, which has 16 adjustable parameters. All other thermodynamic properties of the Y123 solution, including the conditions for its internal stability, can be derived from the assessed Gibbs energy. Brief descriptions of the thermodynamic model, experimental and data assessment methods as well as examples of self-consistent thermodynamic data applications are given.

Effects of the Heating Rate on Conversion of the Precursor Powders Used for Melt Processes into YBa2Cu3O7−y

Effects of the heating rate (100−6000 °C/h) to a peritectic temperature (Tp – 1015 °C) on conversion of Y2O3−BaCuO2−CuO and Y2BaCuO5−BaCuO2−CuO precursor powders into YBa2Cu3O7−y (Y123) were studied. Both precursor powders were rapidly converted into the Y123 phase. A volume fraction of the Y123 phase was more than 50%, even at a relatively fast heating rate of 3000 °C/h. At about 100−200 °C/h, which correspond to the rates of the first heating cycles of practical melt processes, almost 100% of the precursor powders were converted into a Y123 phase. Microstructures were studied in respect to Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) particle size, distribution, gas evolution, and nucleation mechanism of Y211 particles.

The Formation of Y-Ba-Cu-O Phases During Solid State Reaction

ABSTRACTThe formation of Y-Ba-Cu-O phases, including the high Tc superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x (Y123) phase, during solid state reaction of the mixture of Y2O3: BacO3: CuO, in molar ratio of 0.2:0.6:1 to conform the formula of the perovskite (Y0.4 Ba0.6)CuO3 composition was studied by means of DTA, DTG and X-ray difractometry(XRD). For continuous heating at 10 C/min, it was found that the Y123 phase exists at 790–995 C, and gradually disappears at higher temperatures. The insulating Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) phase exists at 985 to 1190 C, the maximum experiment temperature. While the semiconducting YBa3Cu2O7-y, (Y132) phase coexists with the Y123 phase. For isothermal heating, it was found that the most appropriate temperature and time for the formation of the Y123 phase is 900 C and 16 hours. Semiquantitative data on the amount of phases presented, including the above mentioned phases and other binary Ba-Y-O or Ba-Cu-O phases, during heating are also given. High temperature superconductor with a Tc of around 93 K can be synthesized reproducibly by the processes based on this study.