SUPERCONDUCTING YBA2CU3OX PARTICULATE PRODUCED BY TOTAL CONSUMPTION BURNER PROCESSING

This paper summarizes the results on the characterization of fine particulates of YBa2Cu3Ox superconducting oxide produced by reacting an atomized nitrate solution containing yttrium:barium:copper in the atomic ratio 1:2:3 respectively, in an oxyhydrogen flame. The characterization of the resulting oxide compound includes microstructural analysis by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. SEM reveals the primary particle size (about 0.1-0.3 μm) and morphology of a substrate deposit, produced from solution concentrations ranging from 5 to 33 g l-1. X-ray diffraction measurements of oxygen-annealed particulate reveal a crystal structure identical with that of the conventionally produced superconducting oxide. Magnetic susceptibility measurements using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer demonstrate that the material is superconducting with a Tc of about 93 K. © 1990.