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.     

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.     

Control of Co content and SOFC cathode performance in Y1−ySr2+yCu3−xCoxO7+δ

The electrochemical performance of the layered perovskite YSr₂Cu_3−xCo_xO_7+δ, a potential solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode, is improved by increasing the Co content from x = 1.00 to a maximum of x = 1.30. Single phase samples with x > 1.00 are obtained by tuning the Y/Sr ratio, yielding the composition Y_1−ySr_2+yCu_3−xCo_xO_7+δ (where y ≤ 0.05). The high temperature structure of Y_0.95Sr_2.05Cu_1.7Co_1.3O_7+δ at 740 °C is characterised by powder neutron diffraction and the potential of this Co-enriched material as a SOFC cathode is investigated by combining AC impedance spectroscopy, four-probe DC conductivity and powder XRD measurements to determine its electrochemical properties along with its thermal stability and compatibility with a range of commercially available electrolytes. The material is shown to be compatible with doped ceria electrolytes at 900 °C.     

BaO-BiO1.5 phase diagram in the region 80–100 mol % BiO1.5 at p o 2 = 21 kPa

The phase equilibria in the region from 80 to 100 mol % BiO_1.5 are studied in the BaO-BiO_1.5 system in air and under an argon atmosphere using visual polythermal analysis (VPA), X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA), electron diffraction (ED), and elemental analysis in a transmission electron microscope (EA/TEM). A series of discrete layered rhombohedral phases (RPs) with the composition Ba₂Bi_8+n O_y, where n = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, or 10, is discovered. The melting character is determined for these RPs: the 1: 4 phase melts congruently; the 2: 9, 1: 5, 1: 6, and 1: 8 phases melt incongruently. The crystallization fields are 10–30°C. At p _{o 2} = 21 kPa, the 1: 4 phase in the subsolidus region decomposes into a 4: 13 perovskite-like phase and the 2: 9 phase. The other rhombohedral phases decompose into stages to yield Bi₂O₃ and a neighboring RP that is richer in barium. The Ba₂Bi_8+n O_y oxides are stable in argon and experience a first-order phase transformation at about 560°C.     

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.     

Preparation and crystal structure of members of the solid solution phase Ba5Ru2−xAl1+x−yCuyO11 with x=0.378, y=0.085 and x=0.5, y=0

Single crystals of the new phase Ba₅Ru_2−xAl_1+x−yCu_yO₁₁ (x=0.378, y=0.085) have been grown from a powder mixture of BaCO₃, RuO₂ and CuO in an alumina crucible. The new compound crystallizes isostructurally to Ba₅Ir₂AlO₁₁. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction technique and refined to a composition of Ba₅Ru_1.622(8)Al_1.29(1)Cu_0.085(6)O₁₁ (orthorhombic, Pnma (No. 62), a=18.615(4) Å, b=5.771(1) Å, c=11.098(2) Å, Z=4, R₁=0.048, wR₂=0.075). The composition of the new compound obtained from crystal structure refinement is in good agreement with the result of electron probe microanalysis using wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Octahedra [RuO₆] are connected via faces forming pairs. The central positions of the octahedra pairs are statistically occupied by Ru and Al atoms. These octahedra pairs are interconnected to one-dimensional chains extending along [010] via tetrahedra [Al_1−yCu_yO₄]. Isotypic Ba₅Ru_1.5Al_1.5O₁₁ is a further member of the solid solution with the lattice parameters a=18.6654(5) Å, b=5.7736(1) Å, c=11.0693(3) Å according to Rietveld refinement on a microcrystalline sample.     

The decomposition of the oxalate precursor and the stability and reduction of the YBa2Cu4O8 superconductor studied by TG coupled with FTIR and by XRD

The 124 superconductor YBa₂Cu₄O₈ was prepared from the oxalate precursor Y₂(C₂O₄)₃. ·4BaC₂O₄·8CuC₂O₄·xH₂O at one atmosphere oxygen pressure. In O₂ the precursor decomposes in one step at 300°C and more gradually (300°–600°C) in Ar. The stability of the superconductor is strongly dependent on the gas atmosphere: in O₂ and in air there is no significant weight change as long as the temperature does not exceed 800°C, whereas in a 1% O₂-99%N₂ mixture decomposition starts at about 670°C with the formation of CuO and YBa₂Cu₃O_x withx<7. The reduction of YBa₂Cu₄O₈ in a 5% H₂-95% Ar mixture takes place in at least four major steps with formation of products such as Y₂O₃, BaO, Cu₂O, Cu, BaY₂O₄ and Ba₄Y₂O₇.     

A series of oxygen-defect perovskites containing CuII and CuIII: The oxides La3−xLnxBa3 [CuII5−2y CuIII1+2y] O14+y

A series of oxygen-defect perovskites, containing Cu^II and Cu^III, La₃Ba₃ [Cu^II_5?2y Cu^III_1+2y] O_14+y, has been synthesized at 1000°C, for 0.05 ≤ y ≤ 0.43. The substitution of lanthanum for yttrium and lanthanides has been studied. These oxides are tetragonal: $\text{a = a}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>p</mtext>}}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and c = 3a_p. The structural study of La₃Ba₃ Cu₆O_14.10 shows that oxygen vacancies are ordered, involving for copper three sorts of coordination: square, pyramidal (4 + 1), and distorted octahedral (4 + 2). The distribution of Cu^III, as well as the lanthanide ions on the different sites, is discussed.     

High-Tc superconductivity in the ErBaCuO and related systems

ErBa₂Cu₃O₇ and Er_0.5Y_0.5Ba₂Cu₃O₇ are both high-T_c superconductors attaining zero resistance above 80 K. Preliminary studies indicate that Yb_1−xY_xBa₂Cu₃O₇ also exhibits zero resistance above 77 K.     

DSC study of YaBabCucO72212;δ homogeneity in the region 1050–1300 K

Phase transitions of the compositions Y_1±xBa_2±yCu_3±zO_72212; (x,y=0–0.2;z=0–0.5; step 0.1) were studied by DSC in argon atmosphere in the temperature range 1050–1300 K. The formation of three polymorphous modifications of the 123 phase was observed. The solubilities of yttrium, barium and copper oxides in every modification were determined. TheT-x-y phase microdiagram for the 123 phase was mapped out.     

The Ba1−ySryMnO3−x system

Subsolidus phase relations at ambient atmospheric pressure and elevated temperatures in the Ba_1?ySr_yMnO_3?x system were investigated by quenching, gravimetric, and X-ray diffraction methods. The system is not binary above ～1035°C because of reactions with atmospheric oxygen. The air isolar, P_O2 = 0.2 atm, was characterized at 1225, 1375, 1490, and 1610°C. Seven oxygen-deficient phases including a perovskite phase characterize the system. Their stability depends on the values of y and x in Ba_1?ySr_yMnO_3?x. The cell dimensions of these phases expand as x increases at fixed y. These seven modifications can be retained in stoichiometric form by oxidation at lower temperatures.     

Superconductivity in (Cu0.5Tl0.25Li0.25)Ba2Ca2Cu3−ySiyO10−δ samples

The (Cu_0.5Tl_0.25Li_0.25)Ba₂Ca₂Cu_3?ySi_yO_10?δ (y = 0, 0.25 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25) superconductor samples have been prepared by solid-state reaction method. The critical temperature and as well as the magnitude of diamagnetism is increased up to Si concentration y = 1.0, however, from the doping level y = 1.25 a decrease in the critical temperature along with the vanishing of the diamagnetism was observed. The carrier’s in the conducting CuO₂/SiO₂ planes were optimized by carrying out post-annealing in oxygen and an increase in the critical temperature was observed in all Si doped samples. The doping efficiency of Cu_0.5Tl_0.5Ba₂O_4?δ charge reservoir layer in (Cu_0.5Tl_0.25Li_0.25)Ba₂Ca₂Cu_3?ySi_yO_10?δ (y = 0, 0.25 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25) samples is enhanced by doping Li⁺¹ ion; as alkali metals are known to easily loose their outer most electron which could be supplied to CuO₂/SiO₂ conducting planes and would suppress the anti-ferromagnetism in the inner conducting planes. The FTIR absorption measurements have provided an indirect evidence of Si substitution at in CuO₂ planes.     

Electrophysical and electrochemical properties of Y1 − x Ca x Cr1 − y Me y O3 (Me = Mg, Cu)

Structure, thermal elongation coefficient, and conductivity of Y_{1 ? x} Ca _x Cr_{1 ? y} Me _y O₃ (Me = Mg, Cu) in air are studied at 100–1000°C. Electrochemical activity of electrodes made of most conducting compositions Y_{1 ? x} Ca _x Cr_{1 ? y} Me _y O₃ (Me = Mg, Cu), contacting solid electrolyte 0.9ZrO₂ + 0.1Y₂O₃, is studied over a wide range of polarizations, in air, at 700–900°C.     

Perovskite solid solutions in the BaO-CuO-Y2O3-Nb2O5 system

Freeze dried complex carboxylates are highly reactive precursors for complex perovskite solid solutions in the system BaO-CuO-Y₂O₃-Nb₂O₅ On thermal decomposition of the amorphous precursors the formation of complex crystalline phases begins at 600 °C. In most cases the themodynamically controlled phase composition is reached after a reaction time of two hours at about 900 °C. Beginning from the perovskite compound Ba₂YNbO₆ a partial substitution of Y by Cu or by a combination 2/3 Cu,1/3 Nb leads to extended fields of solid solutions with cubic perovskite structure. Substitution according to Y_0,5xBa₂(Y_1-0,5xCu_xNb)O_6+x is limited to x ≤ 0,4. A compound LBa₂Cu₂NbO₈ (x=2), well characterized for L=La, does not exist for L=Y. The composition of solid solutions depends on the preparation conditions. There are some signs for an inhomogeneous distribution of B-cations in the cubic perovskites.     

Estimation of average heat capacities of condensed phase transformation products in the Y−Ba−Cu−O system

A method of calculation of average heat capacities of phase transformation products of complex oxides is suggested. The method takes into account the physical state of products and the increase in the heat capacities of products due to the change of entropy at a phase transformation. Average heat capacities of products formed in a congruous melting of compounds (YCuO₂ and Y₄Ba₃O₉), in an incongruous melting of compounds (Y₂Cu₂O₅, BaCuO₂, BaCu₂O₂, Y₂BaCuO₅, YBa₂Cu₃O₇, YBa₂Cu₃O₆) and in a decomposition in a crystalline state of compounds (Y₂BaO₄, Y₂Ba₂O₅, Y₂Ba₄O₇, Ba₂CuO₃, Ba₃Cu₅O₈, YBa₂Cu_3.5O_7.5, YBa₂Cu₄O₈, YBa₂Cu₅O₉) was estimated by using three methods.     

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.     

A novel synthesis and optical properties of cuprous oxide nano octahedrons via microwave hydrothermal route

A novel and efficient synthesis of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) nano-octahedron was successfully prepared via a green chemie douce approach utilized a microwave hydrothermal route at low growth temperature without the presence of any surfactant. The crystalline structure of the Cu₂O was characterized by several techniques like X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD results indicate that the size of Cu₂O nano—octahedron is 71 nm which is calculated with the help of Scherer equation, as supported by FESEM and TEM. The formation mechanism of the Cu₂O octahedral was discussed. Optical absorption spectra reveal that the optical band gap of the Cu₂O is controlled by quantum confinement effect. The obtained optical energy gap value E _g of Cu₂O octahedron was about 2.43 eV. The photoluminescence emission spectra of the Cu₂O nano-octahedrons exhibit two emission peaks located at 342 and 365 nm due to the quantum effect. It is evaluated that the green chemie douce approach is a cheap and fast to synthesize Cu₂O nano-octahedrons and could be potentially extended to other inorganic systems for industrial production.     

Thermal analysis of Y1−xCaxBa2Cu3O7−y

TG and DTA analysis of Y_1?xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_7?y suggests that the stability of the 123 phase increases with increasing Ca contents. The O(1) in the Cu(1)-O chain is unstable but O(2) and O(3) in Cu(2)-O planes are very stable. There are hardly any oxygen vacancies in the Cu(2)-O plane. The replacement of Y by Ca does not make oxygen vacancies in Cu(2)-O planes but leads to an increase in the oxidation number of copper in Cu(2)-O planes.     

Cathodic electrodeposition and characterization of nanostructured Y2O3 from chloride solution Part I: Effect of current density

Nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanorods of Y(OH)₃ and Y₂O₃ were prepared via cathodic electrodeposition from chloride bath through applying different current densities. First, yttrium hydroxide precursors were cathodically grown on the cathode surface at the current densities of 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 mA cm^?2. Then hydroxide powders were heat-treated at 600°C for 3 h. The composition, crystal structure and morphology of the prepared oxide and hydroxide products were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetery (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Mechanism of base electrogeneration at the applied conditions, and intercalation of chloride ions in the deposit structure during the electrodeposition were proposed and confirmed by the XRD and TG analyses. The results showed that the structural and morphological properties of the products are directly dictated by the applied current density and it can be recognized as the main factor affecting on the cathodic electrodeposition of Y₂O₃.     

Phase equilibria of the Ba-Sm-Y-Cu-O system for coated conductor applications

The complex phase relationships near the BaO-poor region of the quaternary Ba-Sm-Y-Cu-O oxide system prepared in pure air (O₂p=22 kPa, 950 °C) and in 0.1% O₂ (O₂p=100 Pa, 810 °C) have been determined. This investigation also included the subsolidus compatibilities in ten subsystems (Ba-Sm-Y-O, Ba-Sm-Cu-O, Ba-Y-Cu-O, Sm-Y-Cu-O, Ba-Sm-O, Ba-Y-O, Ba-Cu-O, Sm-Y-O, Sm-Cu-O, and Y-Cu-O), and the homogeneity range of five solid solutions (Ba(Sm_xY_2−x)CuO₅, (Sm,Y)₂O₃, (Sm,Y)₂CuO₄, (Y,Sm)₂Cu₂O₅, and Ba(Sm,Y)₂O₄). The single phase range of the superconductor solid solution, (Ba_2−xSm_x)(Sm_1−yY_y)Cu₃O_6+z, and the phase compatibilities in its vicinity, which are particularly important for processing, are described in detail. The phase equilibrium data of the Ba-Sm-Y-Cu-O system will enable the improvement of the intrinsic superconducting properties of second-generation wires, and facilitate the flux-pinning process.