Growth of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O based superconducting whiskers

Superconducting whiskers of the Bi system have been grown by heating a glassy melt-quenched plate in a stream of O₂ gas. We have examined the growing phase and superconductivity of the whiskers grown at the different heating and cooling conditions. The Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ (2212 phase) whiskers are grown from a wide range of initial compositions when the melt-quenched plates are heated at 840°C. The Bi₂Sr₂CuO₆ (2201) phase is dominant in the whiskers grown at lower temperature, 820 and 810°C. The growing pure 2223 whiskers have not been obtained so far. For the superconductivity of the 2212 whiskers, high oxygen partial pressure (P_O2, rapid cooling and higher heating temperature are preferable. Low P_O2 and slow cooling are preferable for the 2223 phase contained in the 2212 whiskers as a minor part. Heating time does not give remarkable effects on the growing phase and superconductivity.     

Rapid exothermic synthesis of chalcopyrite-type CuInSe2

Chalcopyrite-type CuInSe₂ (CIS) was synthesized from Cu, In and Se powders by a mechanochemical process (MCP) without any additional heating. When the transparent reactor bottle was strongly shaken, the elemental powders underwent an explosive reaction. The reaction generated a large amount of heat accompanied by simultaneous strong light emission. The product was confirmed to be chalcopyrite-type CIS by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. From the results, we categorized that preparation of CIS by MCP is a form of ‘self-propagating high-temperature synthesis’ (SHS) or ‘gasless combustion synthesis’. In ordinary SHS, a reaction is initiated from a sample surface by a heat flux such as a heated wire, electric spark, or laser beam. On the other hand, in the present reaction system (Cu+In+2Se), was naturally ignited only by mechanical stimulation. Following initiation by an external stimulus, the reaction was self continuing via the exothermic heat generated. The reaction mechanism of the preparation of CIS by the MCP is discussed on the basis of present reaction observations and thermochemical data.     

Pressure-induced phase transition of BaH2 : Post Ni2In phase

Up to now a Ni₂In structure is a final step in the structural sequence of ionic AX₂ compounds under high pressure. Powder X-ray diffraction experiments on BaH₂ were performed at room temperature and high pressures up to 69 GPa. Successive phase transformations were observed to occur in two stages. The first was from the cotunnite to the Ni₂In structure at 2.5 GPa. The second transition commenced at pressures around 50 GPa and was completed at 65 GPa. At the transition the arrangement of a cation sublattice changes from an hcp to a simple hexagonal lattice. This is the first observation of the post Ni₂In phase.