The role of platinum in partial melt textured growth of bulk YBCO

Previous research has shown that vacuum filtration of particulate YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ (Y123) suspensions in an applied magnetic field under ambient conditions, followed by partial melt processing can produce well textured Y123 thick films. In addition, the microstructural development and magnetic properties were shown to be enhanced in the presence of platinum during heat treatment. Thermal analysis revealed that platinum reduces the decomposition temperature of pure Y123 (1030/spl deg/C in O/sub 2/) by 70/spl deg/C. The current focus of this research is to further exploit this effect and develop a better understanding of the role of platinum during heat treatment. We have successfully duplicated the magnetic and microstructural enhancements observed in earlier work by adding Pt powder directly to the Y123 suspensions and heat treating the films on inert MgO substrates. The enhancement in the magnetic properties was shown to persist independent of any grain size effects resulting from improved microstructural development.<>