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Chemical durability of high-temperature superconductor YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7//sub -//sub x/ in aqueous environments

Journal Article · · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.99481· OSTI ID:5530188
The stability of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-//sub x/ in water and 100% humidity has been investigated at three temperatures using pH measurements, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The oxide-ceramic superconductor is highly unstable and reacts rapidly with water and also degrades in moisture. Dissolution of the oxide perovskite in water is highly incongruent. The corrosion products are found to be BaCO/sub 3/, CuO, O/sub 2/, etc. Barium hydroxide is first formed which further reacts with atmospheric CO/sub 2/ to form needle-shaped crystals of BaCO/sub 3/. For any practical applications, devices made from these materials would have to be protected with an impermeable coating to prevent deterioration from atmosphere.
Research Organization:
Materials Division, NASA--Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
OSTI ID:
5530188
Journal Information:
Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 52:4; ISSN APPLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English