Thermal analysis in the study of the new oxide-based superconductors

Thermoanalytical methods offer a convenient means for testing the starting materials used in the synthesis of the ceramic superconductors and for establishing the reaction and annealing temperatures as well as the stoichiometry of the end product. In addition, the stability and other thermal properties of the superconducting materials can be investigated including phase transformations during thermal cycling and possible reactions with substrates and the environment. The applications of TG, DSC/DTA and other thermal techniques for the study of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x superconductor are briefly reviewed using results from own experiments and selected literature data to illustrate the examples given.