The chemistry and properties of grain boundaries in chemically thinned Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x☆

Abstract Grain boundary chemistry and its relationship to grain misorientation of bulk Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 t - x been investigated using a combination of conventional transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. A novel chemical thinning technique has been developed which reveals more thin area than the standard methods of dry grinding or ion milling, and is therefore more suitable for detailed chemical analysis of several types of grain boundary. These results were compared with the critical current J c measurements from the same batch of materials. The J c of randomly oriented materials was found to increase directly with decreasing amounts of grain boundary phases.