Processing studies on varied shape-forming and densification of bulk ceramic superconductor, YBa_1·5Ca_0·5Cu₃O_7\t-\gd, are reported in this paper. Polyvinyl butyral-polyethylene glycol-trichloroethylene has been found to be the best binder-plasticizer-solvent system in plastic shape-forming. The effect of initial particle morphology on final densification has been the most sensitive single parameter as compared to compaction pressure and final sintering durations at ∼930°C. 1-2-3 powders of mean particle size ∼ 1·94 µm have yielded sintered densities ∼92% T.D. albeit with lower oxygen intake O_6·7.

Polymer electrolyte films with different weight ratios (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) of a manganese-benzene tricarboxylic acid metal-organic framework (Mn-BTC MOF) over a polymer gel electrolyte (CLP+PEO+I$_2$+TBP+DMII+LI) were prepared using solution casting. A Mn-BTC MOF/CLP–PEO polymer electrolyte film was evaluated for its structural, morphological and thermal properties using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric techniques. At room temperature, a maximum ionic conductivity of 2.6 ${\times}$ 10$^{-3}$ S cm$^{-1}$ was observed for polymer electrolyte containing 30% of Mn-BTC MOF with CLP–PEO. The photovoltaic characterization studies of the prepared polymer electrolytes indicate that a higher power conversion efficiency of 5.45% was obtained for 30% of Mn-BTC MOF with CLP–PEO. Hence, these studies conclude that incorporating Mn-BTC MOF into a polymer electrolyte can improve the power conversion efficiency and can be used as a suitable material for dye-sensitized solar cell applications.