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Reaction pathways for the formation of the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-//sub x/ compound

Journal Article · · J. Mat. Res.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6183368

The kinetics of the reactions that lead to the formation of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-//sub x/ cas investigated starting from various powder mixtures containing different reactants as sources of Ba, Cu, and Y (BaCO/sub 3/, BaO, CuO, Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Y/sub 2/Cu/sub 2/O/sub 5/, and BaCuO/sub 2/). These powders were calcined at 940 /sup 0/C for various time intervals. Quantitative x-ray analysis was used to determine the relative amounts of compounds present in the calcined powders. When BaCO/sub 3/ was used as the source of barium, long calcination times were required to obtain the single phased YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-//sub x/, because of the slow decomposition of BaCO/sub 3/. This leads to large particles and broad particle size distributions and hence to a lower density of the sintered superconducting pellets. Procedures to attain high density superconducting material are identified on the basis of the kinetic studies. Each of them isolates the slow reaction in a first step and prepares the superconducting material via a rapid reaction in a second step. The kinetic studies reveal the reaction mechanisms that were followed in different cases.

Research Organization:
Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of New York--Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260
OSTI ID:
6183368
Journal Information:
J. Mat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Mat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 4:2; ISSN JMREE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English