The Influence of Ag and Ag(In) Alloy on Y–Ba–Cu–O Equilibrium Diagram Around the Y-123 Superconducting Phase

We studied the chemical compatibility of Ag, Ag(In)alloy, Y₂BaCuO₅ (the so-called Y-211 green phase) and YBa₂Cu₃O_7–δ (Y-123) phase in order to check if better grain growth and alignment with minimum contamination were possible during the Y-123melt texturing. We demonstrate that the addition of silver to Y-123 always led to an enhanced texture. The typical microstructure of the composite Y-123 plus Y-211 (that is believed essential for high critical currents in these High Tc superconductors) was not disturbed by addition of silver up to 7.5 wt%, while higher concentrations of metal led to a degradation of the texture. DTA–TG analysis was used to investigate the influence of Ag and Ag(In) alloy on the Y–Ba–Cu–O equilibria around the Y-123 phase. We found a very unexpected thermal behaviour, similar to an eutectic equilibrium, when the silver concentration was increased to35 wt%. We believe that this effect was essentially due to the increasingly higher concentration of silver that could react with the secondary phases present in the melt. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Thermal analysis of the oxide–chloride systems GdCl3–Gd2O3 and GdCl3–KCl–Gd2O3

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The thermal analysis of the oxide–chloride systems GdCl3–Gd2O3 and GdCl3–KCl–Gd2O3 with the Gd2O3 content up to...     

Ba2Ca2Cu3Ox Precursor Effects on Synthesis of (Hg,Pb)Ba2Ca2Cu3O8+δ Superconductor

The influence of Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x precursor on the synthesis and properties of (Hg,Pb)Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ has been examined. Fine homogeneous Hg-free precursor powder of Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x of desirable phase composition was prepared by sol-gel method using EDTA acid as a complexing agent. A reproducible superconducting sample of Hg_0.8Pb_0.2Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+δ with fine-grained, dense microstructure, composed predominantly of (Hg,Pb)-1223 phase and with advantageous magnetic properties, was synthesized by high pressure crystallization in mercury environment of well-calcined Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x precursor. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

YBa2Cu4O8/La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/YBa2Cu4O8异质结中的超导转变温度

采用对靶溅射技术制备了YBa2Cu4O8/La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/YBa2Cu4O8（Y-124/LCMO/Y-124）异质结, 研究了超导转变温度（TC）随LCMO层厚度（dL）的振荡行为. 当dL＞dLCR时, TC-dL曲线表现出清晰的非单调行为, 而金属-绝缘体转变温度（TMI）仅当dL＞dLCR时才能观测到. Y-124/LCMO/Y-124系统中所存在的这种对中间层的依赖关系, 显示了铁磁和超导耦合间强烈的相互作用.     

Phase Transitions in YBa2Cu3Ox AT 300–900 K: Thermochemical and Structural Aspects

The thermochemical and structural aspects of the occurrence of two anomalies in the temperature dependence of the specific heat of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.91 are considered. The anomalies were found at T = 300–500 K and T > 600 K. The specific heat was measured by mixing calorimetry in the temperature range 300–900 K. Analytical expressions for the temperature dependences of enthalpy and specific heat were obtained. The observed anomalies were confirmed by structural data and measurements of the temperature dependence of the linearexpansion coefficient. The appearance of the anomalies is explained by the presence of apical oxygen.     

High temperature characterization of the YBa2Cu3O9−y phase

We report the high temperature behaviour of single-phase YBa₂Cu₃O_{9 − y}. This compound reveals superconductivity above 90 K. We performed high temperature (20–960 °C) resistivity measurements, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis investigations.It was found that substantial oxygen depletion occurred above 420°C. The oxygen content changed reversibly with temperature at ambient pressure. The second-order-like transition around 650 °C, observed by differential thermal analysis, is an orthorhombic-tetragonal rearrangement of the lattice. These results are important for optimizing the processing conditions of this new class of high T_c superconducting compounds.     

The Thermal Synthesis of the ZnO–Bi2O3 Pigments

A zinc oxide pigment with an admixture of bismut oxide has been prepared as new yellow pigment for colouring of plastics and paints. The effect of the Bi₂ O₃ in the starting mixture on the colour hue of the pigment has been evaluated. The calcination conditions of the pigment synthesis have been established. The synthesis of these pigments was followed by thermal analysis using a derivatograph apparatus in our laboratory. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of pigments and the properties of the products have been estimated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

EPR Spectroscopic and Thermal Analysis Study of Spent NiMo/WO3–Al2O3 Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of Vegetable Oil

Kinetics and Catalysis - This paper presents the results of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and thermal analysis (TGA, DTA) study of a series of bifunctional NiMo/WO3–Al2O3 catalysts...     

Mechanochemical synthesis and thermal stability of phases in the Y2O3–Yb2O3 system

Substitutional, continuous solid solution of the general formula Y_2–xYb_xO₃ was obtained from the mixture of Y₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ oxides, for the first time by the mechanochemical method in a high-energy ball milling. The monophasic samples of nanocrystalline solid solution for x?>?0.00 and x?<?2.00 were examined by the methods: XRD, DTA, SEM, IR and UV–Vis–DR. As follows from the results, the solid solution crystallizes in cubic system and is isostructural with Y₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃. The solution is stable in the air atmosphere up to at least 900°C, and its decomposition temperature decreases with the increase in x, that is, with decreasing number of Yb³⁺ ions replacing Y³⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of Y₂O₃. The energy band gap estimated for the solid solution varies from?~?5.30 eV for x?=?0.50 to?~?4.90 eV for x?=?1.50, which means that it is an insulator.

     

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.     

Thermoanalytical and dilatometric studies of the Al2O3–Cu–Mo hybrid composite

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The present research is focused on the characterization of the composites from Al2O3–Cu–Mo system. The composites were prepared by slip...     

Thermodynamic properties and oxygen stoichiometry of Ba2Cu3O5 + δ

The thermodynamic properties and oxygen stoichiometry of Ba₂Cu₃O_{5 + δ} are studied by means of the electromotive force (EMF) with a fluoride electrolyte, dissolution calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the Gibbs energy of the formation of barium cuprate from simple oxides and oxygen in the temperature range of 860–1120 K can be described by the polynomial Δ_{f, ox} G ^°(Ba₂Cu₃O_{5 + δ}) ± 0.1 (kJ/mol) = ?291.78 + 1.127T ? 0.13207 TlnT (kJ/mol).     

Thermoanalytical investigations on the sol-gel synthesis of YBa2Cu3O72212;δ

The high temperature superconducting compound YBa₂Cu₃O_72212; (Y-123) is synthesised by sol-gel process using various precursors viz., acetate, acetate-citrate, nitrate-citrate and acrylamide. The phase purity of the final product depends on the homogeneity of the gels which intern depends on the bonding of the metal ions in the gels. The samples prepared by acrylamide and nitrate-citrate gel routes yielded phase pure Y-123 compound with better superconducting properties. The mechanism of formation of Y-123 in all these four gel routes is established by characterising the gels and intermediate phases using TG, DTA and XRD techniques. Kinetic analysis is carried out on the mass loss data using the method proposed by Phadni's and Deshpande. Avrami-Erofeev nuclei growth in case of acrylamide, diffusion controlled process in nitrate-citrate and phase boundary reaction mechanisms in case of acetate-citrate gels are found to be responsible for the formation of Y-123 phase.The authors are grateful to Dr. Baldev Raj, Director, Metals and Materials Group, for his constant encouragement and support. We thank Prof. G. V. Subba Rao, Director, Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi for his keen interest in this work. Thanks are also due to Dr. Sundaram, CECRI, Karaikudi for his help in thermal analysis experiments.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor system

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) has been employed to investigate the chemical nature and the electronic structure of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x system at different stages of preparation. The binding energy measurements showed that O 1s, Ba 3d and Y 3d core levels undergo appreciable changes during the firing and subsequent heat treatment. The chemical shift in O 1s is believed to be due to a higher concentration of holes in the superconductor phase. No indication for the existence of a monovalent Cu(I) species was found at any stage of preparation.     

Effects of nano-YAG (Y3Al5O12) crystallization on the structure and photoluminescence properties of Nd3+-doped K2O–SiO2–Y2O3–Al2O3 glasses

Nd³⁺-doped precursor glass in the K₂O–SiO₂–Y₂O₃–Al₂O₃ (KSYA) system was prepared by the melt-quench technique. The transparent Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) glass–ceramics were derived from this glass by a controlled crystallization process at 750 °C for 5–100 h. The formation of YAG crystal phase, size and morphology with progress of heat-treatment was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transformed infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FT-IRRS). The crystallite sizes obtained from XRD are found to increase with heat-treatment time and vary in the range 25–40 nm. The measured photoluminescence spectra have exhibited emission transitions of ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_J (J = 9/2, 11/2 and 13/2) from Nd³⁺ ions upon excitation at 829 nm. It is observed that the photoluminescence intensity and excited state lifetime of Nd³⁺ ions decrease with increase in heat-treatment time. The present study indicates that the incorporation of Nd³⁺ ions into YAG crystal lattice enhance the fluorescence performance of the glass–ceramic nanocomposites.     

Thermal stability of Ag–Au,Cu–Au,and Ag–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles supported on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The formation of Ag–Au, Cu–Au, and Ag–Cu bimetallic particles on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Samples with the core–shell structure of particles were prepared by sequential thermal vacuum deposition. The thermal stability of the samples was studied over a wide range of temperatures (25-400°C) under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions. The heating of the samples to ~250°C leads to the formation of bimetallic alloy particles with a relatively uniform distribution of metals in the bulk. The thermal stability of the samples with respect to sintering depends on the nature of the supported metals. Thus, the Ag–Au particles exhibited the highest thermal resistance (~350°C) under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, whereas the Ag–Cu particles agglomerated even at ~250°C.     

Characterization of sol–gel process in the Y–Ba–Cu–O acetate–tartrate system using IR spectroscopy

Systematic investigation of sol–gel process in the Y–Ba–Cu–O acetate–tartrate system was performed using IR spectroscopy. Different values of synthesis parameters (temperature and duration of inorganic polymerization reactions, evaporation temperature and evaporation time during gelation) were used, and significant influence in some cases on superconducting characteristics of the oxide ceramics of composition YBa₂Cu₄O₈ was observed. Characterization by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, revealed the difference of local homogeneity in the precursor gels prepared under different evaporation regimes during gelation process. In addition, the explanation of the possible hydrolysis and condensation reactions in the sol state has been suggested.