Synthesis of YBa2Cu3O7 and YBa2Cu4O8 superconductors via carbonate coprecipitation (original) (raw)

Coprecipitation using triethylammonium carbonate ( ( EtxHN)&03) as precipitant was used to prepare the YBazCu90, (Y l-2-3) and YBa2Cu40s (Y l-2-4) high-T, superconductive materials. Theoretical calculations were carried out to estimate the optimal conditions for coprecipitation. A series of precipitation experiments under different pH values were conducted. The residual ions and pH of the filtrate after each precipitation were measured. In agreement with the theoretical prediction, the optimal pH for coprecipitation is above 6.0. The precipitate was dried, calcined, compressed into pellets and sintered. The characterization of the sintered pellets by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements is reported.