Hydration and dehydration processes of superconducting ceramics Yba2Cu3O7-δ

Hydration and dehydration processes of YBa2Cu3O7-δ ceramic sare investigated by thermal massometry, specific conductivity measurement, X-ray-phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy methods. Ceramics samples are subjected to hydration aging under the effect of direct current and without it during 12-88 hours. The process mechanism is ascertained. It is shown that under the presence of sufficient proton conductivity in the material the passage of direct electric current through a sample causes electrochemical purification of the material from the absorbed water with the preservation of superconducting properties