Effect of water degradation on the Zn2+ substituted YBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor

Non-magnetic Zn2+, with varying molar concentration x (0 < x < 0.1), is substituted in YBa2Cu3O7−δ at Cu(2) site. The samples are treated with deionised water for 16 h. The degradation effect on both the untreated and water treated YBa2Cu3−xZnxO7−δ samples is studied by employing temperature dependence resistance measurements, oxygen content and determination of unit cell parameters through X-ray diffraction. The results show that Zn2+ substitution, unlike the Sr2+ or the Al3+, does not control or prevent degradation of the superconducting samples rather it enhances with increasing concentration of zinc.