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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
A detailed characterization study on polycrystalline specimens of YBa2Cu3Oy-x that were prepared by solid-state reaction techniques has been carried out. In the samples studied. magnetization and resistivity measurements indicate superconductivity onset temperatures of up to 89 K. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques have been used to facilitate direct microstructural characterization. It is shown that the planar defects on (001) planes form during the ion milling of the samples and are not directly connected with superconductivity. Laser Raman spectroscopy has revealed that these materials are sensitive to environmental degradation.