Reactions between YBa2Cu3O7−δ and La2O3 and SrCO3

Solid state reactions at 925°C between the high-T _c ceramic superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ and SrCO₃, respectively, mixed in various molar ratiosr=MeO_n/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and La₂O₃ yielded (La_1?xBa_x)₂CuO_4?δ, withx≈0.075?0.10. La_2?xBa_1+xCu₂O_6?δ, withx≈0.2?0.25 and La-doped (Y_1?xLa_x)₂BaCuO₅, withx≈0.10?0.15. Forr=3.0, Y-doped La₂BaCuO₅ resulted also. The reaction between YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ and SrCO₃ yielded (Sr_1?zBa_z)₂CuO₃, withz≈0.1, Y₂(Ba_1?zSr_z)CuO₅, withz=0.1?0.15, and a nonsuperconducting compound with an approximate composition of Y(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)₅Cu_3.5O_10±δ. At values ofr≤2.0, unsubstituted YBa₂Cu₃O_7?delta was found in the reaction products.     

Thermogravimetric study of the nonstoichiometric regions in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system

The paper presents the results of studies on thermal reduction and oxidation of the nonstoichiometric phases from the Y-Ba-Cu-O in air.The thermogravimetric (TG, DTA) experiments were performed in air in order to establish the ranges of stoichiometry and temperature of oxidation and reduction of YBa₂Cu₃O_x, YBa₄Cu₃O_x, YBa₅Cu₂O_x and Y₃Ba₈CusO_x.It has been found, that at 950°C in air there are four oxygen deficient ternary cuprates: YBa₂Cu₃O_6.02, YBa₄Cu₃O_8.01, YBa₅Cu₂O_8.35, Y₃Ba₈Cu₅O_16.45 and stoichiometric Y₂BaCuO₅. When these nonstoichiometric cuprates are cooled slowly to room temperature in air they oxidize to the following compositions: YBa₂Cu₃O_6.98, YBa₄Cu₃O_8.97, Y₃Ba₈Cu₅O₁₈ and YBa₅Cu₂O_8.97.This work has been supported by the CPBR 6.6.64 research programme.     

The oxygen potentials corresponding to the YBa2Cu3O6+x phase in the YBaCuO system

Phase relations in the vicinity of the YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x in the CuO-rich part of the YBaCuO system were studied by the equilibration and quenching technique. At 950°C, the system is characterized by the large number of solid four-phase combinations. The oxygen potential as a function of temperature for two four-phase combinations, i.e., YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x + BaCuO₂ + BaCu₂O₂ + Y₂BaCuO₅ and YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x + BaCu₂O₂ + Y₂BaCuO₅ + Cu₂O, were studied by means of solid state EMF measurements. At higher oxygen potentials the pair of YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x and Y₂BaCuO₅ is stable in contact with BaCuO₂. At lower oxygen pressures this pair coexists in equilibrium with BaCu₂O₂ or Cu₂O.     

Application of model of ideal solution of interaction products (ISIP) and thermodynamic modeling (TM) for description of superconducting phases in the system YBaCuO

The thermochemical properties of Cu₂O₃ were calculated. The stability of Cu₂O₃ was studied with the help of TM methods. It was shown that this oxide can exist in oxygen atmosphere (P=10⁵ Pa) at temperatures below 380 K. A variant of the ISIP model was used with TM to determine the Cu⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cu³⁺ contents and oxygen indexes in YBa₂Cu₃O_x (123-O_x), YBa₂Cu_3.5O_y (123.5-O_y), YBa₂Cu₄O_z (124-O_z), YBa₂Cu₅O_q (125-O_q) and YBa₂Cu₆O_m (126-O_m) solutions at 100–1200 K in oxygen medium (P=10⁵ Pa). Methods for determination of some thermodynamic properties and oxygen indices are suggested for a superconductor family in the system YBaCuO.     

Existence of the homologous series of Y n Ba m Cu m + n O y (m = 2, 3, 5; n = 1, 2) oxides with the tetragonal and orthorhombic structures of YBa2Cu3O6 + δ

The phase composition of Y _x Ba_1?x CuO _y (x = 0.29?0.40) samples annealed in air (at 930?C990°C) and in an oxygen atmosphere (450?C800°C, P(O₂) = 101 kPa) was studied by X-ray powder diffraction, chemical analysis, electron diffraction, and elemental analysis in a transmission electron microscope. A considerable cation nonstoichiometry was discovered in particles having the tetragonal and orthorhombic structures of YBa₂Cu₃O_{6 + ??}. The variation range of particle compositions comprises matrix oxides of the Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y series with (Ba: Cu) 3: 5, 5: 8, 2: 3, and 5: 7, which in the presence of yttrium form the Y _n Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y series. Tetragonal oxides Y₂Ba₃Cu₅O _y (235), Y₃Ba₅Cu₈O _y (358), YBa₂Cu₃O _y (123), and Y₂Ba₅Cu₇O _y (257) are formed at the primary synthesis step in air and are preserved in an orthorhombic structure during short-term (1 h) oxygen annealing. Most particles of the 3: 5 and 5: 8 oxides are undersaturated with yttrium relative to the stoichiometry of the Y _n Ba _m Cu _{m + n} O _y series, those of the 2: 3 oxide correspond to this stoichiometry, and those of the 5: 7 oxide are supersaturated with yttrium over the stoichiometry. A trend is observed for the fractions of these oxides to change during long-term (5?C51 h) annealing in an oxygen atmosphere at 450°C and to the alternation of the dominant role of one of the four phases with the superconducting transition temperature T _c = 82, 85, 86, and 91 K. Each orthorhombic oxide undergoes structural transformations during oxygen annealing with a change in T _c. The coexistence of these oxides in the form of nanometer-sized domains does not allow their individual superstructures to be recognized.     

Formation of YBa2Cu408 Thick Films via Spray Pyrolysis

Thick films of YBa₂Cu₄O₈ superconductor were prepared by a spray-pyrolysis coating technique using silver strip as the substrate. The precursor solution consisted of metal nitrates dissolved in a mixture of ethandiol and water. The solution was nebulized onto the heated substrates to obtain films as-deposited. The temperature of deposition had a great effect on the morphology of the film. Sintering the films in flowing oxygen at 810 °C for 60 h yielded films with T_c(onset) = 82.0 K and T_c(zero) = 74.6 K. Films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transport and magnetic measurements.     

Synthesis,crystal structure modeling and thermal decomposition of yttrium propionate [Y2(CH3CH2COO)6·H2O]·3.5H2O

An yttrium propionate complex was synthesized and characterized for its application as precursor for Y₂O₃ based oxide thin films deposition and YBa₂Cu₃O_7 − x superconducting thin films. The TG–DTA and FT-IR analyses have revealed the formation of an yttrium propionate complex with the formula [Y₂(CH₃CH₂COO)₆·H₂O]·3.5H₂O. The molecular structure of the yttrium propionate complex was determined by modeling the FT-IR spectra. The coordination numbers for the yttrium ions are eight and nine, respectively being coordinated by bridging bimetallic triconnective and chelating bidentate propionate groups.The thermal decomposition of yttrium propionate has been investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques.     

Cu-superconductors in organic catalysis I. Isomerization and hydrogenation of allyl alcohol on YBa2Cu3O7?x

On the superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x between 150 and 300°C, allyl alcohol is isomerized to propionaldehyde (70%) and hydrogenated to 1-propanol (30%) in hydrogen.     

Determination of oxygen content in YBa2Cu3O6.5+x

A method for determining the oxygen content of the high-temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_6.5+x is described. The superconductor is dissolved in 4.4 M hydrobromic acid, forming bromine. The mixture is then diluted with hydrochloric acid to obtain a solution of bromine and Cu(II) in 0.44 M hydrobromic acid and 1.1 M hydrochloric acid. As(III) is added in slight excess of that required to react with the bromine and the unreacted As(III) is determined by titration with potassium bromate. Oxygen does not interfere. The results of this method are in agreement with those of other iodimetric procedures. The dissolution of the superconductor in 4.4 M hydrobromic acid is much faster than in hydrochloric acid, the medium used in one iodimetric technique. YBa₂Cu₃O_6.5+x sintered fibers and powder samples weighing from ca. 0.5 to 200 mg were analyzed for oxygen content.     

New synthesis method for M(II) chromites/silica nanocomposites by thermal decomposition of some precursors formed inside the silica gels

In this article, we present a new method for the obtaining of ZnCr₂O₄ and MgCr₂O₄ embedded in silica matrix. This method consists in the formation of Cr(III), Zn(II) and Cr(III), Mg(II) hydroxycarboxylate/carboxylate compounds, during the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and diol (1,3-propanediol), uniformly dispersed in the pores of hybrid gels. The thermal decomposition of these precursors leads to a mixture of corresponding metal oxides. The gels were synthesized starting from mixtures of Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 1,3-propanediol for final compositions 50% ZnCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂ and 50% MgCr₂O₄/50% SiO₂. The obtained gels have been thermally treated at 140?°C, when the redox reaction nitrates-diol took place with formation of the precursors within the xerogels pores. The thermal decomposition of all precursors took place up to 300?°C, with formation of oxides mixtures (Cr₂O_3?+?x and ZnO) and (Cr₂O_3?+?x and MgO), respectively. At 400?°C, Cr₂O_3?+?x turn to Cr₂O₃ which reacts with ZnO forming ZnCr₂O₄/SiO₂. Starting with 400?°C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with MgO to an intermediary phase MgCrO₄, which decomposes with the formation of MgCr₂O₄/SiO₂. The formation of the precursors inside the silica matrix and the evolution of the crystalline phases were studied by thermal analysis, FT-IR spectrometry, XRD, and TEM.     

Y-Ba-Cu-O mixed oxides for production of diphenols in liquid-solid phase

Superconductor mixed oxides were often used as catalysts at higher temperature in gas phase oxidations, and considered not suitable for lower temperature reactions in the liquid-solid phase; here the catalysis of YBa2Cu3O7+x and Y2BaCuO5+x in the phenol hydroxylation at lower temperature with H2O2 as oxygen donor was studied, and found that the superconductor YBaCu3O7±x has no catalytic activity for phenol hydroxylation, but Y2BaCuO5±x does, even has better catalytic activity and stability than most previously reported ones. With the studies of catalysis of other simple metal oxides and perovskite-like mixed oxides, a radical substitution mechanism is proposed and the experimental facts are explained clearly, and draw a conclusion that the perovskite-like mixed oxides with (AO)(ABO3) and (AO)2(ABO3) structure have better catalytic activity than the simple per-ovskite oxides with (ABO3)3 structure alone, and (AO) structure unit is the key for the mixed oxides to have the phenol hydroxylation activity.     

The obtaining of NiCr2O4 nanoparticles by unconventional synthesis methods

This paper presents a study regarding the obtaining of NiCr₂O₄ by two new unconventional synthesis methods: (i) the first method is based on the formation of Cr(III) and Ni(II) carboxylate-type precursors in the redox reaction between the nitrate ion and 1,3-propanediol. The thermal decomposition of these complex combinations, at ~300 °C, leads to an oxide mixture of Cr₂O_3+x and NiO, with advanced homogeneity, small particles and high reactivity. On heating this mixture at 500 °C, Cr₂O₃ reacts with NiO to form NiCr₂O₄, which was evidenced by FT-IR and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis; (ii) the second method starts from a mechanical mixture of (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇ and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. On heating this mixture, a violent decomposition at 240 °C with formation of an oxides mixture (Cr₂O₃ + CrO₃) and NiO takes place. On thermal treatment up to 500 °C, an intermediary phase NiCrO₄ is formed, which by decomposition at ~700 °C leads to NiCr₂O₄, evidenced by FT-IR and XRD analysis. NiCr₂O₄ is formed, in both cases, starting with a temperature higher than 400 °C, when the non-stoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O_3+x ) loses the oxygen excess and turns to stoichiometric chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), which further reacts with NiO.     

Ceramic electrolytes based on (Ba1 − x Ca x )(Zr0.9Y0.1)O3 solid solution

The aim of this work was to study the electrical and electrochemical properties of the (Ba_1???x Ca _x )(Zr_0.9Y_0.1)O₃ solid solutions. The powders of different calcium content (x?=?0, 0.05, 0.1, and 1) were prepared by a thermal decomposition of organo-metallic precursors containing ethylenediaminetetraacetate acid. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that a small substitution of calcium for barium caused formation of cubic solid solutions with the decreasing cell parameters. Electrical conductivity measurements were performed by the d.c. four-probe method in controlled gas atmospheres containing Ar, air, H₂, and/or H₂O at temperature from 300 to 800 °C. It was found that the conductivity depended on a chemical composition of the samples and the atmosphere. Overall, the electrical conductivity was higher in wet atmospheres that contained oxygen that was in accordance with the model of a proton transport in perovskite structure which assumed the presence of the oxygen vacancies. The solid solution containing 5 mol% of calcium showed the highest conductivity and the lowest activation energy of conductivity regardless of the atmospheres; this can be attributed to the local changes in the cubic perovskite structure. Test results for CaZr_0.9Y_0.1O₃ used as an electrolyte in solid oxide galvanic cells involving CaCr₂O₄ as a reference electrode are also reported.     

Rare earth trisoxalatocobaltates(III) a precursor for rare earth cobaltites(III)

Rare earth cobalties, LnCoO₃, can be conveniently prepared by the thermal decomposition of the precursor LnCo(C₂O₄)₃·nH₂O (La, Ce, n=9; Pr, Nd, n=8). CeCo(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O, unlike the other oxalato compounds thermally decompose to a mixture of CeO₂ and Co₃O₄. Although LnCoO₃are formed from the precursors at a temperature lower than 800°C, thermal analysis of a mixture of La₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O and CoC₂O₄·2H₂O at 900·C shows the residue containing mainly La₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ with a small amount of LaCoO₃.     

Preparation and TG—DTA analysis of manganese silicon nitride

Manganese silicon nitride was prepared quantitatively as a precipitated phase by treating a Mn; Si-alloy (Mn: 1.84 w/o, Si: 1.12 w/o) in a mixture of 2% NH₃ and H₂ at 700°C. Nitriding was carried out in situ in a thermobalance and the nitrogen uptake was recorded as a function of time. The nitride phase was isolated and investigated by means of the combined TG-DTG-DTA technique both in an atmosphere of nitrogen at 25–1600°C and in a mixture of Ar+O₂ (p_O2 = 0.20 atm) at 25–1000°C. In the nitrogen atmosphere MnSiN₂ appears to be stable up to 1000°C. Oxidising the nitride in the Ar/O₂ mixture caused three distinct exothermic processes to occur at characteristic temperatures. The final oxidation products as identified by diffractometry and IR-spectroscopy are manganese oxide silicate (braunite) and silicon dioxide.     

Estimation of melting (decomposition) heat of some compounds in the Y−Ba−Cu−O system

A thermodynamical method for the estimation of decomposition heat in a crystal state, incongrous and congruous melting of compounds with the use of temperature dependencies of total entropies of compounds was suggested. Entropies and heats of phase transformation of YBa₂Cu₃O₆, YBa₂Cu₃O₇, YBa₂Cu_3.5O_7.5, YBa₂Cu₄O₈, YBa₂Cu₅O₉, YBa₄Cu₃O_8.5, Y₂BaO₄, Y₂Ba₂O₅, Y₂Ba₄O₇, Y₄Ba₃O₉, YCuO₂, Y₂Cu₂O₅, Y₂BaCu₂O₅, Ba₂CuO₃, BaCuO₂, BaCu₂O₂, Ba₃Cu₅O₈ were calculated. Data, obtained by the authors earlier, are discussed.     

The activity and thermal stability of RhOx/CeO2 nanocomposites prepared by radio-frequency plasma sputtering

The model RhO_x/CeO₂ systems were prepared by radio-frequency (RF) plasma sputtering of Rh electrode in O₂ or Ar/O₂ atmosphere. Thermal stability of the systems and their reaction probability towards CO oxidation were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was shown that the small oxidized Rh nanoparticles on the CeO₂ surface (RhO_x/CeO₂) obtained by RF sputtering in O₂ have spectroscopic characteristics close to those of Rh³⁺ ions highly dispersed in ceria lattice. The RhO_x/CeO₂ system remains stable upon heating in vacuum at 450°C and shows reactivity towards CO oxidation at T > 200°C. RF sputtering in Ar/O₂ atmosphere results in the formation of larger rhodium nanoparticles that are close to Rh₂O₃ oxide. The Rh₂O₃/CeO₂ system demonstrates lower activity in CO oxidation and cannot be reduced at a temperature below 300°C.     

Preparation and characterization of superconducting YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Cu<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>x</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> oxides by thermal analysis

In this study the formation of chromium substituted YBa₂Cu₄O₈ (Y-124) superconductors has been investigated by TG/DTA measurements. The YBa₂(Cu_1−xCr_x)₄O₈ ceramics with nominal compositions of x=0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 have been prepared by an aqueous sol-gel method using aqueous mixtures of the corresponding metal acetates and nitrates. Homogeneous precursor gels were obtained by complexing metal ions with tartaric acid. To assist the interpretation of the results obtained the synthesis products were additionally characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and resistivity measurements. It was determined that doping the YBa₂Cu₄O₈ phase with chromium has a strong effect on the phase purity and superconducting properties of the synthesis products.     

Preparation of Y2Ba4Cu7O15-δ Superconductor without High Oxygen Pressure

The synthesis of bulk Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ superconductor at atmospheric oxygen pressure via solid state sintering is reported. Temperature ranging from 860 to 890 °C as well as time interval over 2 to 15 days were used to investigate the formation of the Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ phase. A time-temperature profile characterizing the conditions for the preparation of Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O_15-δ phase suggests the optimal condition to be sintering at 890 °C for over 10 days. Detailed results of X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, iodometric titration and magnetization measurements are described.     

Synthesis of β-Ketoiminato Copper(II) Complexes and Their Use in Copper Deposition

The template synthesis of ethylenediamine ( 1 ) with 2-acetylcyclopentanone ( 2 ) and [Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O] ( 5 ) produced [Cu(1-(2-cC₅H₆(O))C(Me)NCH₂)₂)] ( 6 ) in 82 % yield. Reaction of 5 with bis(benzoylacetone)diethylenetriamine ( 7 , = L H)^[1] gave [Cu(μ-OAc)( L )(H₂O)]₂ ( 8 ). The solid-state structures of 6 and 8 were determined confirming that 8 possesses intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds resulting in a dimer formation. The thermal behavior of 6 – 8 was studied by TG and TG-MS. Under oxygen CuO was formed, whereas under Ar Cu/Cu₂O ( 6 ) or Cu ( 8 ) was obtained. Complex 6 was used as CVD precursor for Cu and Cu-oxide deposition (substrate temp., 400–500 °C, N₂, 60 mL · min^–1; O₂, 60 mL · min^–1; pressure, 0.87–1.5 mbar). The as-obtained deposits show separated particles of different appearance at the substrate surface as evidenced by SEM. Non-volatile 8 was applied as spin-coating precursor for Cu and CuO formation [conc. 0.25 mol · L^–1; volume 0.2 mL; 3000 rpm; depos. time 2 min; heating rate 50 K · min^–1; holding time 60 min (Ar), 120 min (air) at 800 °C]. The samples on silicon consist of granulated particles (Ar) or are non-dense with a grainy topography (air). EDX and XPS measurements confirmed the formation of Cu (Ar) or CuO (O₂) with up to 13 mol-% C impurity.