Fabrication of YBa₂Cu₃O_x superconductor using Y₂BaCuO₅, BaCuO₂ and CuO

Abstract

YBa₂Cu₃O_x superconductor was synthesized using Y₂BaCuO₅, BaCuO₂, and CuO powder mixture. Reaction temperatures were identified using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG) for syntheses of precursor powders and the powder mixtures. Appropriate reaction temperatures for Y₂BaCuO₅ and BaCuO₂ precursor powders were 950 and 930°C, respectively. Two endothermic reactions involving melt formations were identified on the DTA and TG curves of the powder mixture, and the liquid increased the reactivity of the YBa₂Cu₃O_x formation. Powder mixture samples were sintered at various temperatures ranging from 880 to 1000°C. Microstructural and X-ray powder diffraction studies showed YBa₂Cu₃O_x and impurities to be formed in the samples sintered at various temperatures. The samples sintered at 990 and 1000°C showed dense microstructures. The critical temperature was 84 K for the sample sintered at 880°C and rose to 92 K as the sintering temperature increased.