effects of the chelating agents on the 123-superconductor

This study reports the initial evaluation of the effect of selected chelating agents on the 123-superconductor. For the chelating agents oxalic acid and disodium oxalate, the extent and the rate of magnetic susceptibility decrease are discussed with respect to their concentration, site of chelation, exposure time and selectivity. The magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out with a Superconductor Characterization Cryostat and the surface analysis was accomplished by employing Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the solution containing oxalic acid can remove copper atoms from the superconductor surface. The extent and the rate of superconductivity decrease can be controlled by changes in concentration, addition sequence and exposure time.