EFFECT OF NANO-SIZE SnO2 ADDITION ON (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O SUPERCONDUCTOR

Abstract

In this study the influence of nano-SnO2 particles addition on the critical current density (J_C) in Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃Sn_xO₁₀ superconductor ceramic with x ranging from 0 to 0.05 was investigated. The samples were prepared using the co-precipitation technique with sintering time of 48 h at 850ºC. The characterizations were carried out using DC resistivity measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The critical current density, _JC and the transition temperature, T_c-onset for sample with 0.02 wt% were found to be the highest with a maximum J_C 1212 mA/cm² and a maximum T_C-onset 112 K. XRD and SEM analysis indicated that nano-SnO up to 0.02% wt enhance the formation of low-T_C (Bi-2212) phase fraction.