Temperature dependence of oxygen content and phase transition in Y1Ba2Cu3O9?x compounds

Systematic TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis), magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-ray diffraction investigations have been made on the temperature dependence of oxygen content and phase transition in Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_9–x compounds. The experimental results show that reversible oxygen relief and absorption appeared during heating and cooling in the temperature range of 400–950°C. A low cooling rate leads to higher oxygen content and quenching can suppress oxygen absorption. The deoxidation process is accompanied by a change of the cell constants,a andb increase whilec decreases with reduced oxygen content while the phase transition from the ortorhombic to the tetragonal system appeares. Nevertheless, this transition is a gradually changing process, no critical point of transition exists. Quenching stress and defects have a pronounced influence on the absorption and relief of oxygen. Maximum rates of oxygen relief and absorption were obtained at about 650°C. Oxygen absorption and desorption can be obtained only in an athermal process. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that diamagnetic and paramagnetic suceptibilities increase obviously with increasing oxygen content. Deoxidation and oxygen absorption can be restrained by adding Fe to the Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_9–x phase, which suggests that deoxidation and oxygen absorption are very sensitive to crystal structure and lattice distortions.