Water interaction with the superconducting YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ phase

Journal Article · Mon Aug 17 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.98389· OSTI ID:6419868

Yan, M F; Barns, R L; O'Bryan, Jr, H M; Gallagher, P K; Sherwood, R C; Jin, S

We show that the superconducting YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ phase is highly sensitive to water and water vapor. This is probably due to the presence of nonequilibrium Cu/sup 3 +/ ions in this compound. In particular, the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ phase decomposes in water to CuO, Ba(OH)/sub 2/ and Y/sub 2/BaCuO/sub 5/ and evolves oxygen. Samples with a reduced oxygen content, e.g., YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 6.0/, also decompose in an aqueous ambient. The superconductivity of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ samples is greatly degraded by the interaction with water and humid air. This effect should not preclude practical application of these materials since it should be possible to protect them with coatings of metal, glass, or plastic.

• Research Organization: ATandT Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974
• OSTI ID: 6419868
• Journal Information: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 51:7; ISSN APPLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360202 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Structure & Phase Studies
360204* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Physical Properties
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BARIUM HYDROXIDES
BARIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COATINGS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DEPOSITION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HUMIDITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE STUDIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
SUPERCONDUCTORS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE TREATMENTS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TYPE-II SUPERCONDUCTORS
WATER
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM OXIDES