The effects of Sb substitution on structural properties in YBa 2Cu 3O 7 superconductors

Abstract

In this study, the effects of partial Sb 3+ ion substitutions for the Y sites and the Cu sites on the superconducting properties of YBa 2Cu 3O y (Y123) ceramic superconductors were investigated. The samples were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method and the properties of the samples were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, AC magnetic susceptibility measurements, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The critical temperatures were determined to be in the range of 80-92 K for both Systems I and II. It was found that Sb-addition leads to the formation of the non-superconducting YBa 2SbO 6 phase, which has a negative effect on the critical temperature, since the highest critical temperature was measured for pure Y123. However, the increasing substitution level has a negligible effect on the X-ray diffraction analysis peak intensities of the superconducting phases. In addition, SEM images showed that Sb substitution decreases the grain size and modifies the microstructure development, which makes the samples denser.