Phase Stability and Decomposition of Superconductive (Y1-xCax)Ba2Cu4O8 (0≦x≦0.1)

Abstract
The stability of (Y1-x Ca x )Ba2Cu4O8 has been studied as a function of Ca content, temperature and oxygen partial pressure, P(O2), by means of thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. When heated at P(O2)=1 atm, YBa2Cu4O8 decomposed into YBa2Cu3.5O7.5-Y (1-2-3.5) and CuO above 899°C and the resultant 1-2-3.5 phase decomposed into YBa2Cu3O7-z (1-2-3) and CuO above 926°C. As the Ca content increased, the decomposition temperatures of both 1-2-4 and 1-2-3.5 phases were decreased and they tended to merge. Actually, when the Ca content was as high as 10% of the Y content, the 1-2-4 phase decomposed directly into a 1-2-3 phase and CuO at 884°C.