Synthesis of high temperature superconductor

using citrate pyrolysis and observing the Meissner

effect

Muhammad Zaki, Murtaza Saleem and Muhammad Sabieh Anwar

LUMS School of Science and Engineering

Monday, Aug 19, 2013

Superconductor materials conduct electricity with precisely zero resistance. High

critical temeperature (Tc) superconductors have considerable potential for techno-
logical applications ranging from generation and transmission of electric power to
digital electronic devices. Superconductors have the ability to carry more than hun-
dred times the amount of current than ordinary aluminum or copper wires of the
same size. This experiment presents a techniques for synthesizing yttrium barium
copper oxide (YBCO) superconductors, with the chemical formula YBa2 Cu3 O7 .
This material is famous among high Tc superconductors and has attained con-
siderable interest in the past two decades. It was the very first material to su-
perconduct above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. High Tc superconductors
are usually synthesized using solid-state reactions at extremely high temperatures.
This paper documents an alternate technique for obtaining high purity products
in relatively less time, the defining process being citrate pyrolysis.

KEYWORDS

Superconductors · Solid State Reaction · Citrate Pyrolysis · Meissner Effect · Dia-

magnetism · Annealing

Approximate Performance Time 2-3 weeks.

References and Essential Reading

[1] D.H.A. Blank, H.Kruidhof, J.Flokstra, J. Phys. D: Appl. Physics. 21, 226-227
(1988).

[2] J.R. Hook and H.E. Hall, Solid State Physics , Second Edition, pp. 278-290
(1991).

[3] Stephen Blundell, Magnetism in condensed matter, Oxford University Press,

198-217 (2001).

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1 Theoretical background

Superconductivity was discovered by H. Kammerlingh Onnes while he was inves-

tigating the electrical resistance of metals near absolute zero temperature. He
noticed that some materials underwent an abrupt drop in resistance, down all the
way to zero, at characteristic temperatures, now known as transition temperatures
denoted by Tc (Fig. 1). Materials which showed this property were called su-
perconductors. At first, most materials exhibited this property at liquid helium
temperatures (4.2-7.2 K), but then newer materials, most of them oxides, were
discovered with very high transition temperatures in the range 35-100 K. These
are now known as high temperature or high-Tc superconductors [2].

Figure 1: R Vs T graph of a typical superconductor.

2 Magnetic properties of superconductors

Superconductors, regardless of their transition temperature, may be classified using

their magnetic properties (Fig. 2). Type I Superconductors have a single critical
magnetic field (let us call that Hc ). If any field stronger than Hc is applied, a type I
superconductor will lose its superconducting behavior and the flux will completely
penetrate the solid. For fields applied up to Hc however, the type I superconductor
completely excludes the field from its bulk, thus making it a perfect diamagnet with
magnetic susceptibility χ = −1 [3].

Type II Superconductors have two critical fields, let’s call them Hc1 and Hc2 . When
a magnetic field is applied on a superconductor with strength lower than Hc1 , the
superconductor expels the magnetic flux from its bulk completely. However, when
a magnetic field with strength between Hc2 and Hc1 is applied, there is partial
flux penetration in the superconductor, and yet the superconductor still retains its
zero resistance property. When a magnetic field is applied with strength greater
than Hc2 , there is a breakdown of superconductivity and the flux is completely
excluded from the solid. High Tc Superconductors are type II Superconductors
with relatively high Hc2 fields [2].

The superconductor that we will synthesize in this experiment is called the YBCO
superconductor (yttrium barium copper oxide), chemically represented as YBa2 Cu3 O7 -
δ, and it is more colloquially referred as a 1-2-3 superconductor due to the ratio of
metal atoms in its chemical formula. The quality of the final superconducting prod-

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 Figure 2: Magnetization curves of Type I and Type II superconductors.

uct is dependent on the oxygen content of the molecule. It has been experimentally
determined that YBCO’s crystal structure undergoes a radical change when y ap-
proaches 6.4. First, the symmetry changes from tetragonal to orthorhombic, and
second, the material undergoes a transition from an insulator state to a metal state
[2]. Furthermore, as y increases from this point to 6.9, the critical temperature
goes up to 92 K, as opposed to 40 K when y = 6.4 [2]. It will therefore be our goal,
to oxidize the material as much as possible using various types of heat treatments
that will be discussed further.

3 Brief introduction to citrate pyrolysis

The citrate pyrolysis method was first discovered in 1987 and was proven to be
more reliable than the typical solid state reaction as the obtained powder in cit-
rate pyrolysis is ultra-fine and bears the correct stoichiometric values, whereas the
powder obtained by the series of solid-state reaction is prone to developing im-
purities [1]. Furthermore, the citrate pyrolysis method yields the product faster
as compared to the typical solid-state reaction. This paper documents a partially
modified technique (than the one documented in 1987), based on the research find-
ings of an experiment performed in the LUMS SBASSE Physics Laboratory during
the summers of 2013.

Q 1. What is magnetic susceptibility, and perfect diamagnetism?

Q 2. How can you distinguish between a paramagnet, diamagnet, and ferro-

magnet?

Q 3. What is superconductivity? Define persistent current?

Q 4. What is critical magnetic field and critical temperature of a superconduc-

tor?

Q 5. Why is ferromagnetism lost on heating in a ferromagnet?

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4 List of chemicals and equipments

Yttrium oxide (Y2 O3 ), barium nitrate [Ba(NO3 )2 ], copper nitrate [Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O],
citric acid (C6 H8 O7 ), nitric acid (HNO3 ), de-ionized water, acetone, pyrex beakers,
fume hood, magnetic stirrer and hot plate, spatula, mass balance, filter paper,
aluminum foil, mortar and passel, ceramic crucibles, muffle furnace, Pellet dye,
hydraulic press (also called pellet carver machine), liquid nitrogen

5 Experimental procedure

In this experiment, we will synthesize a 1-2-3 superconductor using a so-called cit-

rate pyrolysis method and verify its superconductive state through its diamagnetic
behavior.

Before handling any chemicals, wear latex examination gloves and lab coat. Also
use safety goggles when handling a hot solution.

1. Fill a 1 Liter pyrex beaker with about 50 mL of deionized water. Place this
beaker inside a ventilated fume hood and on a magnetic stirrer. Do not place
the ceramic pellet into the beaker yet.

2. Keeping in mind that we wish to maintain a stoichiometric ratio of 1:2:3

of Y:Ba:Cu (refer to detailed calculations given in the appendix), we first
measure 1 g of Y2 O3 on a high sensitivity mass balance using a spatula. It
is advisable to use aluminum foil rather than filter paper to measure Y2 O3 ,
in order to reduce the chance of impurity contamination. Furthermore, one
should be careful to clean the spatula with acetone after every use. Transfer
the Y2 O3 to the beaker containing the deionized water. At the end of this
step, turn on the suction mechanism of the ventilated cabinet.

3. You will now have a milky white solution. Carefully heat the solution on
the magnetic stirrer at about 50-60 ◦ C (while again taking care of cleaning
the magnetic ceramic pellet before using it. Use a moderate stirring speed.
Slowly add dilute nitric acid using a pipette until the solution turns trans-
parent. This dissolves Y2 O3 which is insoluble in water.

4. Proceed to measure 3.063 g of Ba(NO3 )2 and 8.981 g of Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O and

transfer it to the beaker, leave the beaker on the magnetic stirrer, while all
the powder dissolves. You will now have a clear blue solution.

5. Measure 5.533 g of citric acid C6 H8 O7 and transfer it to the beaker. We

usually use a 2:1 ratio of metal nitrates to citric acid.
Before proceeding on to the next step, make sure all of your chemicals have
dissolved in the beaker, and that there are no noticeable residues or precip-
itates. If there are any, then your solution may have been contaminated by
impurities.

6. While keeping the magnetic stirrer on, turn the heating knob of the stirrer
to about 100◦ C, and close the hood of the ventilated cabinet. It is important
to note that the temperature on the knob is not the same as the temperature

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 of the solution. Further, it is imperative that we do not use a thermometer
to avoid the risk of impurity contamination, and also that a thermometer
might shatter in the spontaneous combustion reaction. Hence, the goal of
this step is to heat the solution such that it does not come to a boil, while
allowing it to evaporate.

7. Using a visual estimate, when 11-15 mL of the solution is left, turn off the
stirring mechanism and turn up the heating knob of the magnetic stirrer to
a maximum. Maintain a safe distance from the apparatus after performing
this step, wait and observe.

8. The solution should now spontaneously combust (this happens due to the
presence of nitrates), providing the basis for the pyrolysis reaction. When
the entirety of the solution is consumed, turn off the heating knob.

9. Collect the obtained powder (which should be brownish black) in a ceramic

cup using a spatula.

10. Heat the obtained powder in a furnace (Brother furnace XD-1200N) while
using the heating curve shown in Fig. 3, while keeping the powder inside
the ceramic cup. This step is intended to anneal the sample (for 2 hours at
900◦ C, thereby increasing the ductility of the substance. The furnace should
return to room temperature in about 24 hours after it has been turned on.
It is important that we do not try to accelerate or perturb the cooling phase
of any kind of heat treatment as it might create irregularities in the crystal
structure of the compound which are vital in achieving superconductivity.
(Fig. 3)
Question: Read up on annealing, its purpose and how it is different from
sintering?

1000

800
Temperature ( C)

600

400

200

0
0 100 200 300 400 500
Time (minutes)

Figure 3: Heat treatment profile - Note intervals of 10 minutes at 300 and 600◦ C,
parallel line for 2 hours heat treatment at 900◦ C and rightmost descent of
temperature.

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11. After the furnace returns to room temperature (or close to it, around 40-50
o
C), we may take out the ceramic cup containing the powder, which should
now be a strong black. Next, grind the powder in a grinding bowl to obtain
fine particles.

12. Collect the fine powder in a ceramic cup and proceed to make pellets (prefer-
ably two or three, depending upon the amount of powder obtained). Detailed
instructions on making pellets are given below.

Procedure for pellet formation

(a) From left to right (Fig. 4), we have (A, B) two pellet caps (one has
its flat side up, the other has its round side up), (C) the rod, (D) the
mould, (E) the holder, and (F) the base.

Figure 4: Different parts of the dye.

(b) Place the mould over the base, insert one of the pellet caps (with the
flat side up, this is very important!) into the hole. The arrangement of
the dye parts can be seen in Fig. 5.

Figure 5: Hydraulic press and arrangement of dye parts for pellet making.

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 (c) Using a spatula, place approximately 1.25 g of fine powder into the hole
containing the pellet cap.
(d) Insert the second pellet cap into the hole, this time with its flat side
down.
(e) Insert the rod into the hole (flat side faced down) until it completely
sinks down. It is important that the rod is perpendicular to the mould.
(f) Now move onto the pellet carver machine, turn the knob below the dial
anti-clockwise to relieve pressure first, and then turn it clockwise to lock
it. Place the entire mould structure into the pellet carver, rod faced up,
and then close the protective shield.
(g) Finally, using the rod, pump the pellet carver up until the rod meets
the carver ceiling, then pump it to 7 tons, or 15000 pounds on the dial.
Leave it to that much for 3 minutes.
(h) Using the knob, relieve the pressure on the structure, and take the
structure out.
(i) Remove the base, turn the structure upside down (while holding the
rod), and insert the holder into the previous position of the base. Insert
the structure into the pellet carver, this time with the rod facing down.
(j) Lock the carver pressure knob and the protective shield, and pump the
machine until the pellet caps pop out in front of the holder.
(k) You will find your pellet in between the pellet caps, you may repeat
the process to make more pellets. Be careful in handling the pellets for
they are quite delicate at this stage.

13. Place the pellets in ceramic cups, and re-heat them in a furnace using the
heating curve described in Step 10. This time, the heat treatment would be
classified as sintering, a treatment that is intended to increase the compact-
ness and workability of the pellet.

14. After sintering, place the pellets in an evacuated tube and heat them for 24
hours in flowing oxygen in a tube furnace, in accordance to the heating curve
given below in Fig. 6 (900◦ C for 24 hours), This heat treatment, is purely
intended to increase the oxygen content of the compound. We would like to
bring the stoichiometric ratio of oxygen as close to 7 as is possible.

15. You may now finally test your superconducting pellet. In a styrofoam cup,
place a small magnet (preferable 2.5 × 2.5mm) on top of your pellet. It is
advisable to cut your cup such that it’s total height is around 6 cm. This way
you’ll be able to handle the pellet more easily. Also, keep plastic tweezers
in hand. Pour liquid nitrogen in the cup (while wearing insulating gloves!)
such that the pellet is completely submerged in liquid nitrogen. Further, if
the magnet falls off, you may use your plastic tweezers to place it back on
top of the pellet.

16. There should be considerable boiling around the pellet, and finally, when the
boiling stops, you should be able to see your magnet either strongly repelled
by the pellet, or, if you’ve placed it close to the center of the pellet, levitate.

17. If your pellet had no effect on the magnet whatsoever, it may be possible
that it is still underdoped in oxygen. In that case, it is advisable to repeat

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 1000

800

Temperature ( C)
600

400

200

0
0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800
Time (minutes)

Figure 6: Second heat treatment profile - Note intervals of 10 minutes at 300 and
600◦ C, parallel line for 24 hours heat treatment at 900◦ C and rightmost descent of
temperature.

steps 14 through 16 while keeping the same pellet. Even if you could see
considerable levitation as in Fig. 7, it would still be advisable to repeat
steps 14 through 16 just to ensure maximum oxidation.

Figure 7: Meissner effect showing levitation for (a) one (b)two and (c) eight heat
treatments.

Q 6. What is Meissner’s effect?

Q 7. The Meissner effect allows a magnet to float above a superconductor (or

vice versa). Can you think of any potential applications using this effect?

6 Further Considerations
1. If an oxygen environment is unavailable, step 14 may also be carried out
in a normal muffle furnace. However, the final product may be underdoped

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 Table 1: Molar masses of chemicals
Chemical Molar mass Chemical Molar mass
Y (Yttrium) 88.906 Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O 478.894
Ba (Barium) 137.33 Ba(NO3 )2 261.34
Cu (Copper) 63.546 Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O 241.6
Y2 O3 (Yttrium Oxide) 225.809 C6 H8 O7 192.124

in oxygen. Research experiments in the LUMS Physics Laboratory have

shown however, that when step 14 is carried out in a normal furnace, the
final sample exhibits superconductivity around liquid nitrogen temperatures
(although the levitation was not as much as that of the sample prepared in an
oxygen environment). Even so, repeated heat treatments in normal furnaces
may yield results that are very close to the quality of superconducting YBCO
that is achieved through heat treatments in oxygen.

2. If we wish to obtain a stoichiometric ratio of Y:Ba:Cu of 1:2:3 using Y2 O3 ,

Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O and Ba(NO3 )2 , then the principle ratio to be used is 1 : 3.063
: 8.981 corresponding to Y2 O3 :Ba(NO3 )2 :Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O. The amount of
Citric Acid used should be adjusted while using Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O as an esti-
mate instead of Y2 O3 , as the standard for deciding the amount of citric acid
is generally with respect to metal nitrates used. You may refer to detailed
calculations given at the end of the manual.

7 Appendix

First note the respective molar masses of the elements and compounds. Note that
we need a molar mass ratio of Y:Ba:Cu of 1:2:3. Hence let us assume that we
started with 3 g of Y2 O3 . First, let us find the amount of yttrium that contains.
Total Mr of Y in Y2 O3
Mass of Y in Y2 O3 = × Mass of Y2 O3 used (1)
Mr of Y2 O3

88.906 × 2
× 3 = 2.3623 g (2)
225.809

Q 8. Following the formula and mass requirement of Ba and Cu. Find the
required masses of Ba(NO3 )2 and Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O?

Q 9. Note down the resolution of the mass balance and clearly mention the
practical masses you have measured?

It is verified that there is 2.3623 g of Y in 3 g of Y2 O3 correspond to a required

ratio of 2.3623:4.7246:7.0869 in grams of Y:Ba:Cu; and to achieve this, we therefore
require a final ratio of 3:9.19:26.94 in grams of Y2 O3 :Ba(NO3 )2 :Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O.
This can be simplified to 1:3.063:8.981 in grams, which is the principle ratio used
in this experiment.

We now proceed to calculate the required amount of Citric Acid (C6 H8 O7 ) for
this reaction mixture. The experimental standard is to use a 2:1 ratio of metal

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nitrates to fueling agent (which in this case is citric acid). Therefore, we will use
an approximation, we will assume that we used yttrium nitrate (Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O)
instead of yttrium oxide, and hence use the number of moles for yttrium nitrate
that correspond to the amount of yttrium in 1g of yttrium oxide (as that is what
we used). From Equation 5, we find that in 1 g of Y2 O3 , we have 0.7874 g of Y.
So we will now find the corresponding amount (and moles) of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O that
will yield 0.7874 g of Y.

Total Mr of Y in Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O

× Mass of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O used (3)
Mr of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O
= Mass of Y in Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O (4)
Substituting values we now have,

88.906
× Mass of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O used = 0.7874g (5)
478.894

This gives us the analogous amount of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O to be 4.24 g. Hence, we now
have a ratio of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O:Ba(NO3 )2 :Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O, which is 4.24:3.063:8.98
in grams.

Using the following formula, we can calculate the number of moles of each of the
chemicals we have used;

Total Mass Used

= Number of moles (6)
Mass Number of Compound

You will find that we have used 0.008537 moles of Y(NO3 )3 .6H2 O, 0.01172 moles
of Ba(NO3 )2 , and 0.0371 moles of Cu(NO3 )2 .3H2 O. Hence, the total number of
moles of metal nitrates is simply 0.008537 + 0.1172 + 0.0371 = 0.0576. Note that
0.0576 moles of Citric Acid corresponds to 0.0576 × 194.124 = 11.060 g of citric
acid. Furthermore, since we are using a 2:1 ratio of metal nitrates to fueling agent,
we will require 11.060/2 = 5.533 g of citric acid. Make sure you go through all of
these steps and a clear working is shown in your notebook.

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