Abstract
Abstract Two-step annealed laser floating zone fibres of BiSr 2 Ca 3.3 Cu 5.3 O 23 nominal composition are investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscope and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry. HRTEM images evidence the presence of the 2234 structure as half unit cell intergrowths with 2223 and 2212 phases. Based on the absence of liquid phase at superconducting grain boundaries and on the interface types between intergrowth domains, two kinds of solid state mechanisms are proposed to explain the development of 2234 intergrowths: (i) the local exchange of CaCuO 2 bi-layers between contiguous 2223 half unit cells; (ii) the pipe-diffusion of Ca, Cu and O ions from Ca cuprates through edge dislocations towards 2223 half unit cells.
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