Effects of nanosized Bi2O3 addition on the superconducting properties of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10

The effects of nanosized Bi2O3(150 nm) addition on Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 ((Bi,Pb)-2223) superconductor have been investigated. Samples with nominal starting composition (Bi,Pb)- 2223)(Bi2O3)x with x = 0-0.15 wt.% were prepared using the co-precipitation method. The structure and microstructure were examined by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The onset-temperature (Tc-onset), zero-resistance-temperature (Tc-zero), and transport critical current density (Jc) were determined by using the four-probe technique. The XRD patterns confirmed the presence of Bi,Pb-2223 phase. Jc of all Bi2O3 added samples were higher than the non-added sample. The highest Jc, Tc-zero and hole concentration (p) was observed in the x = 0.01 sample. At 77 K, Jc of x = 0.01 wt. % was about 42 times higher than the non-added sample. This could be due to the enhanced flux pinning as the size of Bi2O3 was between the coherence length and penetration depth of (Bi,Pb)-2223.