SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES OF Eu2O3 NANOPARTICLES SUBSTITUTION IN Bi(Pb)-2223 CERAMICS

Abstract

This research reports on the effect of Eu2O3 nanoparticles on structural and superconducting properties of Bi(Pb)-2223 superconductor. Samples were produced through solid state reaction method. The prepared samples have been analyzed through critical temperature (T_c), critical current density (J_c), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Alternating Current Susceptibility (ACS). Both Bi-2212 and Bi-2223 phases have been detected for all prepared samples with different ratios. The microstructure for all samples shows randomly distributed plate-like grains. The crystallite size was estimated from XRD while the critical temperature (T_c) has been determined from resistivity measurements in the range of 30 – 300 K. The maximum calculated J_c was obtained at the sample with x = 0.0025 Eu₂O₃ nanoparticles substitution. The best amount of doping was found at x = 0.0025 which improved the superconducting properties of this system.