THERMOCHEMISTRY OF THE Y2O3-BAO-CU-O SYSTEM

High temperature reaction calorimetry using molten lead borate as a solvent is used to study the thermochemistry of phases in the Y2O3-BaO-Cu-O system. Enthalpies of formation of YBa2Cu3Ox (6 < x < 7), YBa2Cu4O8, Y2BaCuO5, Y2Cu2O5, and BaCuO2.01 phases have been determined. The thermodynamic relationships among these phases at room temperature have been assessed. The results show that the 123 phase is not thermodynamically stable with respect to assemblages containing combinations of Y2BaCuO5, Y2Cu2O5, BaCuO2, Y2O3, and CuO. The fully oxidized 123 phase is not stable with respect to the 124 and the above assemblages. Reactions at room temperature are shown as follows: YBa2Cu3O7 (S) + CuO (s) --> YBa2Cu4O8 (s); DELTAH = -31.9 +/- 22.3 kJ mol-1 and YBa2Cu3O6.76 (s) --> 1/2YBa2Cu4O8 (s) + 1/4Y2BaCuO5 (s) + 3/4BaCuO2.01 (s); DELTAH = -78.9 +/- 21.0 kJ mol-1. 2