Chemical durability of high-temperature superconductor YBa 2Cu3O7-x in aqueous environments

Abstract

The stability of YBa2Cu3O7-x in water and 100% humidity has been investigated at three temperatures using pH measurements, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The oxide-ceramic superconductor is highly unstable and reacts rapidly with water and also degrades in moisture. Dissolution of the oxide perovskite in water is highly incongruent. The corrosion products are found to be BaCO3, CuO, O2, etc. Barium hydroxide is first formed which further reacts with atmospheric CO2 to form needle-shaped crystals of BaCO3. For any practical applications, devices made from these materials would have to be protected with an impermeable coating to prevent deterioration from atmosphere.