Modified top-seeded melt growth for large sized Y_1−xCa_xBa₂Cu₃O_ycrystals

YBa2Cu3O7‐δ superconductor bulks composited by Y2BaCuO5 nanoparticles derived from homogeneous nucleation catastrophe

“…Considering its time and cost‐saving merit in the powder preparation, the MPP‐used TSMG is preferentially applicable over the CPP one for industrial production, which is similar to the fabrication of low‐cost and high‐quality bulks in TSIG reported by Yang et al Furthermore, it can be seen from insets of Figure that the black parts, representing lost liquid during the MG process, have apparently smaller areas in the case of MPP than CPP. As previously reported, the less liquid loss indicates the higher viscosity of melt caused by massive small Y211 particles . Therefore, the reduction of liquid loss is consistent with the expectation of this work, which will be discussed in more detail later in this article.…”

“…As previously reported, the less liquid loss indicates the higher viscosity of melt caused by massive small Y211 particles. 20,21 Therefore, the reduction of liquid loss is consistent with the expectation of this work, which will be discussed in more detail later in this article. Furthermore, microstructure observation of the first group of eight single-grain Y123 bulks was conducted by means of optical microscopy.…”

“…Therefore, convincingly, it is Y211 nanoparticles massively nucleated at the temperature above T p that originate the refinement of Y211 in the MPP‐used samples. With regard to aforementioned liquid loss behavior, as a common perception, it is extremely susceptible to the apparent viscosity of the melt, which increases efficiently with increasing the density of ultrafine inclusions . Thus, the lessened liquid loss in the MPP‐grown bulks can be attributed by a considerable amount of refined Y211 particles.…”

Almost complete peritectic reaction in YBa2(Cu1−xFex)3O7−δ crystallization involving nanosized primary phase

“…It is known that liquid loss is strongly influenced by the viscosity of melt. In fact, by adding CeO 2 in the precursor, the liquid loss has been evidently weakened, because CeO 2 is beneficial to refine the Y211 particles and then increase the viscosity of melt. Thus it can be deduced that the combining addition of CeO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 amplifies the inhibiting effect on the liquid loss.…”

“…Therefore, it is crucial to obtain sizable Fe‐Y123 crystals with low cost and high efficiency. To overcome the demerits: the small‐sized crystal grown by the flux method (FM), and the high cost plus low growth efficiency prepared by top‐seeded solution‐growth, a modified melt‐growth (MMG) process was recently developed to grow Y123 and Ca‐doped Y123 crystals with a respectable size. In MMG, the precursor material used is a single phase of Y123, unlike a mixture of Y123 plus Y211 usually employed in the normal MG. As a result, less Y211 grains remain in the Y123 matrix.…”