Grain growth enhancement in silver-doped YBa2Cu3O7-x superconductor

Abstract

The effects of silver addition on the microstructural and superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) have been investigated. It was found that the microstructure of silver-doped YBCO samples is characterized by highly oriented platelet-like grains (up to 3 mm × 0.5 mm × 15 μm). The superconducting transition temperature Titc (R= 0) is decreased with increasing wt% of silver. The critical transport density (JcT) is, however, found to be improved (up to two orders of magnitude) in the doped materials (JitcT (T= 77 K and H = 0 T) = 1250 Acm-2). It is believed that the addition of silver lowers the melting temperature of the system and thereby enhances the decomposition of the compound and promotes grain growth during solidification. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.