Synthesizing the Y-123/Y-211 composite by the PVA method

A polymerized organic–inorganic synthesis of a mixture containing 69% Y-123, 30% Y-211, 1% CeO 2 in weight has been studied with the aid of polyvinylic alcohol (PVA). The advantages of this method are (a) avoidance of extensive and repetitive firing steps and (b) no need for mechanical mixing of components. By heating the solution of stoichiometric quantities of the nitrate salts, a viscous gel is obtained which turns into an aerogel by subsequent heating. The resulting aerogel was calcined in a single step and the powder was used to prepare Y-123/Y-211 composite monodomain rods by the vertical Bridgman solidification technique. Characterization of both powders and grown monodomains have been performed. Fine and dispersed Y-211 phase distribution was successfully achieved. Finally, magnetic measurements were performed by SQUID magnetometry.