Copper-doped BaZrO3 crucibles for YBCO single crystal growth

The corrosion resistance of BaZrO3 to molten barium cuprates is controlled by secondary phases, and requires high chemical and phase purity, as well as high density for sustained flux containment. The high sintering temperatures required for solid-state derived powders is a significant obstacle inhibiting more widespread use of high density BaZrO3. We have investigated the use of Cu2+ doping to enable practical sintering temperatures whilst still producing corrosion resistant ceramics. Low levels of copper addition (0.2 wt.% CuO equiv.) produced densities of >97% theoretical using sintering temperatures as low as 1400 °C, as long as the dopant was added after all powder calcination steps, i.e. immediately before forming/sintering. Corrosion resistance at 0.2 wt.% CuO equiv. was equal to un-doped materials fabricated using the same powder processing method.