Grain growth enhancement in silver-doped YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductor

The effects of silver addition on the microstructural and superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) (YBCO) have been investigated. It was found that the microstructure of silver-doped YBCO samples is characterized by highly oriented platelet-like grains (up to 3 mm x 0.5 mm x 15 microns). The superconducting transition temperature Tc (R = 0) is decreased with increasing wt pct of silver. The critical transport density is, however, found to be improved (up to two orders of magnitude) in the doped materials. It is believed that the addition of silver lowers the melting temperature of the system and thereby enhances the decomposition of the compound and promotes grain growth during solidification.