Degradation process in Tl2Ba2Ca1Cu2O10+x

Degradation processes in 2212 thallium-based superconductors have been investigated using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques. It has been shown that the formation of amorphous or microcrystalline material by decomposition of the superconducting phase is followed by the crystallization of BaCO3 and other oxide compounds. The influence of preexisting BaCO3 on the rate of this degradation process has also been studied, and the results indicate that the removal of this stable precursor compound is an important step in improving the long term stability of the 2212 phase