Effect of Carbon on the Microstructure and Superconducting Properties of YBa₂Cu₃O₇₋ₓ Melt-Textured Crystals

Abstract

YBa2Cu3O7-x (123) high-temperature superconducting powders were synthesized by mixing cost effective Y2O3, CuO and BaCO3 precursor powders and subsequently reacting them at 920°C in a rotary calciner. The effects of carbon on the critical temperature (Tc), critical current density (Jc), trapped field as well as the growth of melt-textured 123 crystals were examined as a function of the extent of calcination. Increasing carbon content in the sample resulted in lower Tc and zero field Jc, however, high field Jc were improved showing a 'fishtail' effect at 77 K. In addition, the nucleation and growth process of 123 crystals was not affected by the carbon content, but highly porous microstructures were obtained with increasing amounts of carbon.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Calcination; Carbon; Cost effectiveness; Critical current density (superconductivity); Crystal growth from melt; Microstructure; Nucleation; Synthesis (chemical); Superconducting powders; Superconducting materials

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0953-2048

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2002 IOP Publishing Ltd., All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2002

Link to Full Text

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