On the synthesis of YBa2Cu3O7−δ: Effects of annealing conditions on homogeneity and oxygen content of polycrystalline samples

Abstract

Polycrystalline YBCO samples were prepared via solid-state reactions under various annealing conditions. The differences in annealing method reflect changes in the oxygen content, crystallinity and critical temperature of the sample. The higher the annealing temperature, the higher the oxygen content that was obtained. The heat may have facilitated the diffusion oxygen ions inside the sample. It was also observed that the appearance of (00l) peaks in the sample reflect good connectivity between grains of sample thus enhancing the path where the superconducting current flows as reflected on the resistance vs. temperature measurements.