PROPERTIES OF YTTRIUM BARIUM COPPER-OXIDE (YBCO) CONTAINING VANADIUM

A series of several compositions of YBa2Cu3-xVxO7 were prepared by con ventional solid state reaction. The influence of the vanadium on the m icrostructure of YBa2Cu3O7 was investigated by X-ray diffraction and e lectron dispersion spectroscopy in terms of the cell parameter variati on and the presence of vanadium-rich secondary phases. The results hav e been correlated with the transport and superconducting properties. T he experimental results revealed a solubility limit for vanadium in th e 123 phase, a small change in the superconducting transition temperat ure, and a considerable influence on the volume fraction of the superc onducting phase. Further research will determine the suitability of th ese materials for power transmission application.