Published July 1, 1991 | Version v1
Journal article

Surface degradation of YBa2Cu3O7-δ superconductors on exposure to air and humidity

  • 1. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-2066 (USA)

Description

Surface modifications from exposure of YBa2Cu3O7-δ pellets and thin films of the 1:2:3 composition to ambient atmosphere and 85% relative humidity at 50 degree C were measured using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning Auger electron multiprobe. Surface formation of BaCO3 and Ba(OH)2 was detected. The surface layer of the sintered pellets did not have any Cu after 48 h of moisture treatment. The degradation in the thin-film samples was substantially less. The rate of degradation appears to be controlled by grain-boundary diffusion

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter
Journal Volume
44
Journal Issue
2
Series
Phys. Rev., B: Condens. Matter.
Journal Page Range
727-733
ISSN
0163-1829
CODEN
PRBMD