Control of YBA2CU3OY Sol-Gel Solution Structure by Chemical Modification of Organic Acid and its Effects

Since the discovery of the high temperature superconducting ceramics, numerous techniques have been tested in order to overcome the difficulties in the fabrication (e.g. porosity, preparation of specific shapes). The sol-gel process has been demonstrated to be ideal for the fabrication of high Tc superconducting ceramic fibers or wires (1). In the sol-gel process, the metal alkoxides in organic solvents are hydrolysized and polymerized (2). These low temperature solution reactions yield the ultrahomogeneity of materials and low final phase-forming and densification temperature (3). By controlling the hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions a homogeneous solution with proper viscosity can be made for the fiber drawing and film coating (4). Water content, modification of sol-gel solution are two common techniques to control a solution reaction 1,5. Here we have studied the structure change induced by the modification of the metal alkoxide solution by 2EHA. Further effects of 2EHA on the formation of YBa2CU307-x, microstructure and superconductivity of final products have been investigated.
This article is from 'Multifunctional Materials Held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 29-December 1 1989. Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. Volume 175,' AD-A253 089, p173-178.