Improved synthesis of ceramic superconductors with alkaline earth peroxides - Synthesis and processing of Ba2YCu3O(7-x)

Synthesis processes for the preparation of ceramic conductors Ba2YCu3O(7-x) from BaO2 or BaCO3 in flowing O2 or N2 are described, and the characteristics of the materials produced in these processes are compared. Results of EDAX, XRD, SEM, and dc resistivity analyses demonstrated that superconducting materials made from BaO2 were more homogeneous, denser, and more metallic than materials produced from BaCO3, because of the higher reactivity of BaO2. Potential applications of this processes are discussed.