INFLUENCE OF ADDITION OF Eu2O3 NANOPARTICLE ON THE STRUCTURAL AND SUPERCONDUCTING PROPERTIES OF (Bi1.6Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 CERAMICS

Abstract

Superconducting ceramics of (Bi1.6 Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 +x Eu2O3 were prepared by conventional solid state reaction route. The influence of Eu2O3 nanoparticles, added to (Bi, Pb)-2223, (0.00≤x≤0.05) at the final heat treatment processing stages on the structure and superconducting properties were investigated. Bulk specimens were characterized by using X-ray diffraction patterns, four-probe method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of Eu2O3 caused the growth of the low (Bi, Pb)-2212 superconducting phases in specimens. Large pores together with apparently smaller grain sizes are seen as a consequence of Eu2O3 accommodation in BSCCO structure. In the region of the 101 K, the critical temperature TC gradually decreased with the increase of Eu2O3 content.