Synthesis of melted YBa 2Cu 3O 7-x-0.325Ag superconductor contained in solid silver via synthesized precursor containing BaCuO 2.5

Abstract

Concurrent synthesis and melt-processing of YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x -0.325Ag superconductor by thermo-mechanical processing of the silver-clad precursor containing 0.5Y 2O 3+2BaCuO 2.5+CuO+0.325Ag near the melting point of silver was studied. Melted orthorhombic YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x formed after 15 min at 950–965°C in air at 1.3 and 2.6 kPa. At 950–955°C the melted YBa 2 Cu 3O 7- x superconductor was contained by solid silver which melted at 960–965°C. The highest J c was 3600 (transport) and 1.2 x 10 5 A/ cm 2 (magnetization). On extending the heat-treatment from 15 to 30 min, orthorhombic YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x changed to tetragonal YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x . BaCuO 2.5 coexisted with YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x during its formation and presumably lead to orthorhombic YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x directly.