Decomposition of High Temperature Superconductors in Water

Abstract

Changes of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity of ceramic superconductors of nominal composition YBa2Cu3O7-y and Bi1.4Pb0.6Sr2Ca2Cu3.6Ox observed during their soaking in water are reported. It was found that the YBa2Cu3O7-y superconductor is destroyed in few minutes by boiling water. At lower temperatures the hydrolysis reduces the volume of the superconductive phase, as seen from the susceptibility measurements. Reaction of Bi1.4Pb0.6Sr2Ca2Cu3.6Ox with water causes a decrease of the relative volume of both superconducting phases at a rate substantially higher for the high temperature one (Tc = 110 K).