Thermal and Microstructural Analysis of the Y–Ba–Cu–O/Ag Equilibrium Around the Critical Composition YBa2Cu3Ox/Ag 35 mass%

We studied the Y–Ba–Cu–O/Ag equilibrium diagram in oxygen atmosphere around the composition YBa₂Cu₃O_x/Ag35 mass%. We found a high thermal effect: the peritectic decomposition temperature of Y-123 phase is lowered from 1040 to 940°C. We demonstrate here that the nature of the phenomenon is not chemical. We explained it as the result of a mechanical segregation of Y-123 decomposition products from Y-123 phase, performed by silver. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of vanadium doping on the behavior of YBa_2Cu_3O_7-y

YBa2Cu3-xVxO7-y(x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) superconductors have been prepared. X-ray diffraction shows that the system remains orthorhombic for all compositions studied, but for x > 0.4 V2O5 was detected as an impurity phase. Substitution of V5+ for Cu2+ occurs in the Cu(2) sites on the Cu(2)-O planes. The introduction of the high valence element, vanadium, produces the extra free-electrons. These electrons recombine with the positive carrier of the system. It makes depression of the mobility and the Hall number of YBa2Cu3-xVxO7-v and also results in a depression of TC.     

Mixed valency in the high-temperature phases of transition metal molybdates, A MoO4 ( A =Fe, Co, Ni)

Transition metal molybdates of the formulaAMoO₄ whereA=Fe, Co or Ni exhibit a first-order phase transition between 670K–970K. An investigation of the lowtemperature (lt) and high-temperature (ht) phases by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and other physical methods shows that the phase transition is associated with a valence change of the typeA ²⁺+Mo⁶⁺αA ³⁺+Mo⁵⁺ in the cases of iron and cobalt molybdates. Contribution No. 311 from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit.     

Optimization of the electrophoretic deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−x superconducting large area coatings

Large area coatings (>10cm²) of the high temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1 – 0.2) (YBCO) have been prepared by scale up an electrophoretic deposition technique using silver sheets and Si-wafers coated with Ag or Au as substrates. Several parameters, like the kind of the solvent, the applied voltage, the distance between the electrodes, the initial concentration of the suspension and the temperature during the electrophoresis were investigated in order to attain high deposition rates, as well as uniform YBCO coatings with the proper stoichiometry. To obtain a strongly adherent and dense coating a subsequent appropriate sintering and annealing procedure has been developed. The coatings obtained were characterized for their stoichiometry and superconducting properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The homogeneity and thickness of the films and the average grain size of the deposited particles have been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Characterization of phase transition of Ba2-xSrxIn2O5 by thermal analysis and high temperature X-ray diffraction

The phase transitions of Ba_2-xSr_xIn₂O₅ were investigated with various thermal analyses and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. It was clarified that crystal structure of Ba_2-xSr_xIn₂O₅ with x=0.0~0.4 varies from brownmillerite through distorted perovskite to another distorted perovskite with increase of temperature. The phase transition from brownmillerite to distorted perovskite was revealed to be first order, whereas transition from distorted perovskite to another one was second order. The specimen with x≥0.5 showed only one first order phase transition from brownmillerite to distorted perovskite. The phase diagram of Ba_2-xSr_xIn₂O₅ was established and existence of tricritical point at ~1100°C with x=0.4~0.5 was suggested. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation and Superconductivity of a Series of Bi2CaSr2-XBaxCu2O8+δ

By means of the addition of Ba into the Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O 2122 system, a series of Bi₂CaSr_2-xBa_xCu₂O_8+δ (0 ≤ × ≤ 2) quinary metal oxides were prepared by the citrate route and by the conventional powder reaction method. The samples prepared by the former method have better properties than the latter. It was found that 5 was not equal to zero for all of them and that it increased with decreasing Tc. Two phases were indentified in the oxides containing all five metal elements. One is the Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O 2122 phase, the other is a new insulating phase which probably contains Bi-Ca-Ba-Cu-O with undetermined stoichiometry. Superconductivity was found in those samples for which × ≤ 1.50 with their Tc onsets between 93–78 K by resistivity measurements. Superconductivity decreased monotonically with increasing x. However, residual resistance was found in those samples for which 1.00 ≤ × ≤ 1.50, The Meissner effect appears in the samples where × ≤ 1.00 with Tc onsets between 88–80 K. For x = 1.75 and 2.00, the samples were semiconductors with resistivities of 6.66 × 10² and 6.96 × 10³ Ω cm at 290 K, and activation energies of 0.109, and 0.298 eV, respectively.     

Weak Interactions under Pressure: hp‐CuBi and Its Analogues

The metastable binary compound hp‐CuBi was obtained from the direct chemical reaction between copper and bismuth at a pressure of 5 GPa and a temperature of 720 K. The atomic arrangement comprises slabs of puckered Cu layers sandwiched between Bi planes. The QTAIM charges calculated for compounds of bismuth with transition metals reveal negligible charge transfer for hp‐CuBi. Analysis of the chemical bonding with position‐space techniques discloses multicenter interactions within the Bi‐Cu‐Bi slabs and lone‐pair interactions of the van der Waals type between these entities. hp‐CuBi exhibits metal‐type electrical conductivity with superconductivity below T_c=1.3 K.     

低温/高温复合超导磁体的研究进展

低温/高温复合超导体的研究是当前超导领域比较新的一个课题,文章介绍了低温/高温复合超导体的结构以及加工工艺,并结合相关数值模拟和实验结果对复合超导体电流分布、热传导性质、理论机理和稳定性研究等相关问题进行了讨论与探索。     

Conference summary on the first international workshop on advanced superhard materials

Composite diamond anvils have been developed for high-pressure/high-temperature measurements of diamond anvil cells. The anvils are fabricated using single-crystal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from previously used and/or slightly damaged anvils made of natural or synthetic diamond. These composite anvils can be fabricated to possess optical characteristics at least comparable to conventional diamond anvils, whereas the single-crystal CVD portion is more durable because of its enhanced toughness relative to natural diamond. The viability of such anvils is demonstrated in measurements on hydrogen at megabar pressures and high temperature.