Synthesis, Characterization and A.C. Susceptibility of YBa2Cu3O7−x / Polyethylene Composites

A series of flexible composites are fabricated by mixing a high-Tc YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor with Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The synthesized polymer composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction technique. Superconducting nature of the composites is confirmed by the Meissner effect. The surface morphology of the composites is studied by scanning electron microscopy. The crystallization temperature of the polymer and its composites is determined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The composites showed a large diamagnetic susceptibility that increases with increasing volume fraction of superconductor filler. Susceptibility measurements showed that the intrinsic diamagnetic properties of the superconducting materials are preserved in the composites and there is no change in the transition temperature of the superconductor. Potential applications in the areas of shielding and levitation are discussed.