Effects Of Fuel Concentrations And Calcination Temperatures On The Compositions And Particle Sizes Of Yba2-Cu3O7-X Superconductors Synthesized By The Solution Combustion Technique

Synthesis of powders with desired composition and particle size is a crucial step in fabricating superconductor materials required for industrial utilization. This study aims at determining optimized conditions for YBa2-Cu3O7-x (Y123) superconductor powder synthesis. The powders were prepared by combustion of aqueous solutions containing corresponding metal nitrate, acting as the oxidizer, and sucrose, acting as the combustion fuel. Fuel-to-oxidizer (f/o) ratios ranging from 1:3 to 3:1 and calcination temperatures ranging from 850 degrees C to 950 degrees C were employed in this experiment. X-ray diffraction results indicated that Y123 powders with desired composition could be achieved in all powders calcined at 900 degrees C for 4 hours. Particle size analysis revealed that average particle sizes of powders ranged from 2.4 to 4.6 micrometers. Powders with higher f/o ratio and subjected to calcinations at higher temperatures tended to be coarser. Particle sizes and formation of superconductor powders with respect to fuel concentration and calcinations temperatures will be discussed.