STUDY OF SILVER ADDITION TO Y1BA2CU3O7-Y SCREEN PRINTED THICK-FILMS

A study of the effect on the superconducting and microstructural properties of YBa2Cu3O7-x screen printed thick films as a function of silver content (in the form of Ag and Ag2O) from 0 to 40 wt. % by employing different experimental techniques has been carried out. It has been found that silver improves the sinterability and intergrain connectivity and reduces the normal state resistivity. The superconducting transition temperature of the above films was found to be in the range of 82 to 91 K. Our results show that a small addition of silver (Ag or Ag2O) helps in enhancing the superconducting properties. However, large amounts lead to formation of 211 phase as the decomposed product and thereby deteriorate the quality of the superconductor. Silver has been found to remain as metal in the samples for the entire range. Further, in light of our results, it seems that an addition of Ag metal is more beneficial than the addition of Ag2O.