PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Ba2NdSbO6 COMPLEX PEROVSKITE AS A SUBSTRATE FOR YBa2Cu3O7-δ SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS

Abstract

We report systematic studies of Ba 2 NdSbO 6 as substrates for the production of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ superconducting thin films. Chemical stability and crystallographic coupling between Ba 2 NdSbO 6 and YBCO were examined by characterizing Ba 2 NdSbO 6- YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (0 to 100 vol.%) polycrystalline composites. X-ray diffraction experiments showed that Ba 2 NdSbO 6 belongs to the complex cubic perovskite family. Moreover, we determine that these materials are chemically stables, e.g. there is no chemical reaction at the interface, and the lattice parameters evidenced a matching ~ 2%. Morphological characterization of our samples was performed through scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the existence of separated grains of Ba 2 NdSbO 6 and YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ. Compositional analysis of samples was performed by energy dispersive X-ray experiments, which showed the inexistence of impurities or undesired chemical elements. DC susceptibility measurements permitted us to determine that the presence of Ba 2 NdSbO 6 does not affect the critical temperature of the superconducting transition of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ. Our results evidenced that Ba 2 NdSbO 6 is an excellent candidate as a substrate for the fabrication of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ superconducting thin films.