Formation and characterization of Y:247 film through spray pyrolysis technique

Abstract

The synthesis of high temperature superconducting films of Y:247 (Tc ∼ 73 K) have been successfully achieved. The difficulty in synthesis owing to narrow range of stability of Y:247 has been taken care of through several quenching modes, e.g. quenching of the films synthesized at ∼ 850°C, in air or in liquid nitrogen. The energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the as processed film, Y2Ba4Cu7O14+x, exhibit nearly correct cationic stoichiometry of 2:4:7; also narrow regions (< 50 Å) of minority Y:124 phase and stacking faults capable of working as flux pinning sites have been invariably found to be present. In addition to Y:247, Ag admixed films have also been investigated. The Tc here is ∼ 70-75 K which is similar to that of the film without silver. Representative estimates of transport critical current density (Jc) for Y:247 films is ∼ 103 A/cm2, and with silver corresponding to Y2Ba4Cu7O14+x (Ag0·1) is found to be ∼ 104 A/cm2.