Effect of water intercalation on the structure and electrophysical properties of YBa2Cu3O6.9

Abstract

The influence of water vapors and plastic deformation on the structure and electrophysical properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.9 (123) has been studied. It has been established that, at T = 200°C, the introduction of water into the structure of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.9 leads to its transition into a defect tetragonal phase of the 124 type as a result of the formation of planar stacking faults. After annealing at T = 930°C, these defects are partially retained and are efficient centers of pinning in the magnetic fields applied perpendicularly to the c axis, which makes it possible to increase (by an order of magnitude) the critical current density in the high-textured ceramics at 77 K in the external magnetic field of 5–10 T. The plastic deformation of the hydrated ceramics favors the reverse transition of the arising 124 phase to the 123 phase at T = 930°C and is accompanied by a recrystallization of the material, which leads to the appearance of a texture and an increase the critical current density.