Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.
Science Signaling - Call For Papers

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 6 January 1989:
Vol. 243. no. 4887, pp. 66 - 69
DOI: 10.1126/science.243.4887.66
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Submicrometer Superconducting YBa2Cu3O6+x Particles Made by a Low-Temperature Synthetic Route

H. S. HOROWITZ 1, S. J. MCLAIN 1, A. W. SLEIGHT 1, J. D. DRULINER 1, P. L. GAI 1, M. J. VANKAVELAAR 1, J. L. WAGNER 2, B. D. BIGGS 2, and S. J. POON 2

1 Central Research and Development Department, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, DE 19880-0356.
2 Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

Evidence suggests that superconducting, orthorhombic YBa2Cu3O6+x+ (x gsim 0.5) is always produced by oxidation of the oxygen-deficient, tetragonal form (x lsim 0.5) of this phase (commonly referred to as 123). A synthetic route whereby solution-derived, carbon-free precursors are decomposed at 650° to 700°C in inert atmosphere to yield tetragonal 123 is now available. Appropriate precursors include hydrated oxides derived from the hydrolysis of organometallic solutions and aqueous solution-derived hyponitrites. Subsequent oxidation of the tetragonal phase at 400°C results in submicrometer particles of orthorhombic 123. Superconductivity (Tc onset ap87 K) has been confirmed in these materials by both Meissner effect and specific-heat measurements.

Submitted on October 19, 1988
Accepted on November 28, 1988

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)