Effect of Sb2O3 and/or CdO nanoparticle substitution on the properties of high-TC superconducting Bi1.6-x SbxPb0.4Sr2Ca2-yCdyCu3OZ material

Abstract

High temperature superconductors materials with composition Bi1.6-xSbxPb0.4Sr2Ca2-yCdyCu3OZ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and (y = 0.01 and 0.02), were prepared by using the chemical reaction in solid-state ways, and test influence of partial replacement of Bi and Ca with Sb and Cd respectively on the superconducting properties, all samples were sintered at the same temperature (850 oC) and for the same time (195 h). The structural analysis of the prepared samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements performed at room temperature, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dc electrical resistivity was measured as a function of temperature. It was found that the sample prepared by partial substitution of Sb at ratio (x= 0.2) and Cd with ratio (y=0.01), has the maximum value of zero resistance temperature, where was the TC(onset) and TC(0) values for this sample are (140 K) and (123 K) respectively, and XRD results reveal that this sample has the highest percentage of Bi- 2223 phase, as well as the analysis of XRD patterns of the prepared materials showed polycrystalline structure and signalize that all samples had an orthorhombic crystalline structure. It was concluded that Sb2O3 nanoparticles it may be acts as a flux agent in the matrix to lower the partial melting temperature of the samples and that leads to the promotion of the high-TC phase.