Reaction between the Y2Ba5(Sn3-y-zCuyPtz)O-x and the liquid phase during the texture growing of YBCO

SnO2 nanopowder and Sn-based compounds were used by many researchers to imp rove the superconducting properties of melt-textured YBa2Cu3O6+delta/Y2BaCu O5 composite (YBCO). We found that Y2Ba5(Sn3-y-zCuyPtz)O-x is one of the fi nal compounds in the samples(1). Employing the differential thermal analyse s (DTA) and Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) equipped with the energy d ispersive spectroscopy (EDS), we also studied the effects of such compound on a Y2Ba5Sn1.5Cu0.5PtO13.5 added YBCO sample. We found that the Y2Ba5Sn1.5 Cu0.5PtO13.5 reacted with the YBCO liquid and reduced the coarsening of Y2B aCuO5 particles. The YBa3Sn2-xCu8.5-x phase and a small amount of the Ba4Cu 2-xPt1+xOy were found. The reaction mechanism is also discussed.