Comparative Characterisation of Structural and Superconducting Properties of Y-123 and Y-247 Synthesised by Thermal Treatment at 980 °C
DOI:
10.56566/jmsr.v1i3.425Downloads
Abstract
This study presents a comparative analysis of the structural and superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O₇−δ (Y-123) and Y₂Ba₄Cu₇O₁₅−δ (Y-247) superconductors synthesised via a thermal treatment method at 980 °C. Metal nitrates were used as starting precursors, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) serving as a capping agent to enhance dispersion and control microstructure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that Y-123 and Y-247 were the dominant phases in their respective samples, although minor peaks of BaCuO₂ were detected, indicating the presence of secondary phases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that Y-247 exhibited larger grain morphology and higher porosity than Y-123, suggesting that the chosen sintering temperature exceeds the thermal stability range for the Y-247 phase. Electrical resistivity measurements showed a single superconducting transition for both samples, with Y-123 exhibiting a sharper transition width (ΔTc = 8.1 K) compared to Y-247, indicating better grain connectivity and phase uniformity. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) supported the elemental presence of Y, Ba, Cu, and O in both samples, though variations in stoichiometry were attributed to secondary phases. The observed expansion in the c-axis lattice of Y-247, combined with its higher porosity, points to oxygen loss during sintering, which contributes to the reduced superconducting performance. Overall, the results confirm that both Y-123 and Y-247 can be successfully synthesised using a simple and environmentally friendly thermal treatment method. However, Y-123 exhibits better structural integrity and superconducting performance at the high sintering temperature of 980 °C, making it a more promising candidate for large-scale production of bulk high-temperature superconductors.
Keywords:
Microstructural Phase formation Superconducting transition width Y-123 Y-247References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Siew Hong Yap, Tai Pao Er, Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik, Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim, Hussien Baqiah, Soo Kien Chen, Kean Pah Lim, Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin, Nurhidayah Mohd Hapipi, Aliah Nursyahirah Kamarudin, Arebat Ryad Alhadei Mohamed, Aris Doyan, Abdul Halim Shaari
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