From RE-211 to RE-123. How to control the final microstructure of superconducting single-domains

This paper reviews the usual techniques for producing YBCO-type single-domains and the microstructure of the as-obtained samples. The problems of seed dissolution and parasite nucleations are discussed in details. Formation of microstructural defects, such as pores and cracks, are examined. An important part of this review is devoted to the study of the influence of RE-211 particles [RE2BaCuO5 where RE denotes Y, Yb, Nd, Sm, Dy, Gd, Eu or a mixture of them. Generally Nd4Ba2Cu2O10 is preferred to Nd2BaCuO5] on the microstructure and properties of RE-Ba-Cu-O single-domains. Trapping/Pushing theory is described in order to explain the spatial distribution of RE-211 particles in the RE-123 [(RE)Ba2Cu3O7-d] monoliths. Formation of RE-211-free regions is discussed. Different ways to limit the RE-211 coarsening are reviewed. Microstructural defects in the RE-123 matrix caused by the RE-211 particles are presented. It is also shown that RE-211 particles play a significant role on the mechanical properties of single-domain samples. We finish this review by discussing the Infiltration and Growth process as a good technique to control the microstructure.Comment: review paper to be published in Supercond. Sci. Technol.; 19 figures; 137 references; 37 page

The contribution of 211 particles to the mechanical reinforcement mechanism of 123 superconducting single domains

Hardness and fracture toughness of Dy-123 single-domains were studied by Vickers micro-indentation. A significant anisotropy of the mechanical properties was observed. Hardness tests give higher values when performed in (001) planes rather than in planes parallel to the c-axis. Moreover cracks pattern around the indentation follows preferential orientation in planes parallel to the c-axis whereas a classical ''four-cracks'' pattern is observed in the (001) planes. It has been possible to show the crucial role played by the 211-particles in the deviating mechanism of cracks and the relevance of the 211-particle distribution high homogeneity in the material.Comment: 14 pages, including 5 figures and 1 Table. submitted to Supercond. Sci. Techno

Effect of Ni and Al substitution on the magnetic properties of Y-type hexaferrite Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn0.5Ni1.5Fe11.92Al0.08O22powders

peer reviewedThe effect is reported of substituting the non-magnetic Zn2+ cations with magnetic Ni2+ cations, and of the magnetic Fe3+ cations with non-magnetic Al3+ cations in Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn0.5Ni1.5Fe11.92Al0.08O22 on the resulting magnetic properties. The Y-type hexaferrite powders were synthesized by citric acid sol-gel auto-combustion, followed by appropriate thermal annealing. The saturation magnetization values (Ms ) in a magnetic field of 50 kOe were 36 emu/g and 30 emu/g at 4.2 K and 300 K, respectively. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization vs. temperature (4.2-300 K) were measured in dc magnetic fields of 50 Oe, 100 Oe and 500 Oe. The changes resulting from the dissimilar cationic substitutions were identified and discussed

Magnetic phase transitions in Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn2Fe11.92Al0.08O22hexaferrites

peer reviewedWe report studies on the effect of substituting the magnetic Fe3+ cations with nonmagnetic Al3+ cations in Y-type hexaferrite Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn2Fe11.92Al0.08O22 powders on their magnetic properties and especially on the magnetic phase transitions responsible for observing the magnetoelectric effect. In this research, the Y-type hexaferrite powders were synthesized by citric acid sol-gel auto-combustion. After the auto-combustion process, the precursor powders were annealed at 1170 °C in air to obtain the Y-type hexaferrite materials. The effects of Al substitution on the structural, microstructural properties and phase content were investigated in detail using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Hysteresis measurements were performed by a physical-property-measurement-system (PPMS) (Quantum Design) at 4.2 K and at room temperature. Dc-magnetic measurements of the temperature dependence of the magnetization at magnetic fields of 50 Oe, 100 Oe and 500 Oe were used to determine the effect of applying a magnetic field on the temperature of magnetic-phase transitions. We demonstrated that the helical spin state can be modified further by varying the magnetic field

Effect of cation substitutions in Y-type Ba0.5Sr1.5Me2Fe12O22hexaferrites on the magnetic phase transitions

peer reviewedWe investigated the magnetic properties and magnetic phase transition in Y-type Ba0.5Sr1.5NiMgFe12O22 hexaferrite powder prepared by citrate sol-gel spontaneous combustion. The saturation magnetisation value of 32 emu/g at 4.2 K was lowered to 24 emu/g at 300 K. The magnetisations curves did not saturate even at a magnetic field of 50 kOe for both temperatures - 4.2 K and 300 K. A step-like behaviour appeared in the initial magnetisation curve at 4.2 K. A magnetic phase transformation from a spiral magnetic ordering to a conical spin one was observed at 40 K

Study of ZnO sol-gel films: Effect of annealing

Thin films of zinc oxide were deposited by spin coating method on different substrates. The obtained samples were thermally treated at temperatures from 400 degrees C up to 850 degrees C. The structural study was performed by XRD and FTIR techniques in order to observe the effect of the annealing temperatures. The sol-gel ZnO films showed polycrystalline hexagonal structure. The optical transmittance reached 91% and it diminished with increasing annealing temperatures. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Investigation of sol-gel yttrium doped ZnO thin films: structural and optical properties

peer reviewedNanostructured metal oxide films are extensively studied due to their numerous applications such as optoelectronic devices, sensors. In this work, we report the Y–Zn–O nanostructured films prepared by sol-gel technology from sols with different concentration of yttrium precursor, followed by post-annealing treatment. The Y doped ZnO thin films have been deposited on Si and quartz substrates by spin coating method, then treated at températures ranging from 300-800°C. XRD analysis reveals modification of the film structure and phases in the doped ZnO films

Optical characterization of Sol-Gel ZnO:Al thin films

peer reviewedThis paper presents a sol-gel technological process for preparing thin films of ZnO and ZnO:Al. The effect of annealing treatments (500, 600, 700 and 800 oC) on their properties was studied. The structural evolution with the temperature was investigated by using X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and UV-VIS spectrophotometry were applied to characterizing the films’ vibrational and optical properties. The ZnO and ZnO:Al films possessed a polycrystalline structure. The films studied are highly transparent in the visible spectral range. The optical band gap values and the haze parameter were also determined

Study of sol-gel Cu-doped Al2O3 thin films: Structural and optical properties

peer reviewedWe present a study of of copper-doped Al2O3 films prepared by sol-gel deposition. The films were spin-coated on Si and quartz substrates and a high-temperature treatment was conducted in the range 500-800 °C in oxygen or nitrogen. The impact was followed of the annealing procedures on the AlxCu1-xO3 films's properties. XRD was used to determine the films' structure; it revealed a mixture of amorphous and crystalline phases. Optical characterization was performed by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The sol-gel films prepared are very transparent. The band gaps of the Al-Cu-O films were estimated from the optical data, with the values ranging from 3.4 to 4.8 eV depending on the Cu content, the annealing and the gas ambients

Electrochromic TiO2, ZrO2 and TiO2-ZrO2 thin films by dip-coating method

Sol-gel processing of TiO2, ZrO2 and mixed Ti/Zr oxide thin films has been studied as application of these coatings in electrochromic devices. Their structural transformations as a function of annealing temperatures were analyzed by XRD and FTIR techniques. Electrochromic behavior of the three kind materials was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the basic electrochromic characteristics were determined. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved