Structural and physical properties of Y2O3 layered YBa2Cu3O7-x compound

In this study, six kinds of melt-processed YBCO samples which are named Y1040, Y1050-0, Y1050-1, Y1050-2, Y1060 and Y1070 were fabricated and the compacted powders were located on a crucible with a buffer layer of Y2O3 and a crucible with Y2O3 powder freely poured to avoid liquid to spread on the furnace plate and also to support crystal growth. After thermal process, whole samples were oxygenated for 24 hours all together. Microstructures of these samples were defined by XRD analysis and polarized light optical microscopy and magnetization measurements were performed by using PPMS and VSM.It was found that the sample located on crucible with freely poured Y2O3 powder has showed almost single crystal and has preferred orientation but superconducting properties of Y1060 was much better than the others according to magnetization measurements.At the fabrication of single crystal YBCO, optimized temperature for crystal growth was determined to be around 1050 and 1060°C, 24 hours oxygenation period was insufficient and Y2O3 layer supported the growth.