Fabrication and characterization of boron supported YBCO superconductive nanofibers by electrospinning

Abstract

This study is related to the preparation of boron supported YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) superconducting material. The first step was the preparation of a composite formed by mixing yttrium, barium, and copper acetates with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at a suitable temperature. The resulting composite polymer was electrospun to produce nanofibers. Finally, the obtained nanofibers were subjected to thermal treatments at 500°C, 600°C and 1000°C to elucidate their morphological properties. The conductivity of the nanofibers was measured by the four probe techniques, and the boron supported polymer was found that it had a higher conductivity. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data for the boron doped material revealed that the addition of boron increased the thermal resistance of the fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the fibers showed that they were homogeneously electrospun, and there was no beading or heaping on them. © 2010 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.