Thermal treatment of a modified alkoxide gel precursor for the preparation of the YBa2Cu4O8 superconductor

Abstract

A precursor of Y-Ba-Cu oxides was prepared by a modified alkoxide sol-gel method and its thermal decomposition in air was studied by on-line coupled TG-FTIR and High Resolution Thermogravimetric measurements. A continuous more or less stepwise weight loss was observed between room temperature and 600 degrees C at which all organic compounds had evolved and were progressively oxidized as the temperature increased leaving only Y and Cu oxides and bariumcarbonate. Between 700 and 800 degrees C a final weight loss was observed due to the decomposition of bariumcarbonate into oxide.