Effect of the fabrication process on the superconducting properties of Pb-BSCCO

Abstract

Bismuth based high Tc superconductors are among the materials that have been extensively appreciated in terms of their application. Since this type of superconductors are very sensitive with respect to synthesis process, here, we consider effect of synthesis process on the electrical, magnetic and superconducting properties of Pb-BSCCO compound. The samples were prepared by both solid state and sol-gel reaction. In both of the preparation routes, two different methods of Cold Press (CP) and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) were used to compress the samples after, the completion of their calcination and grinding. In the next step, the samples put through the thermal process of sintering with different temperatures with respect to their preparation method. The results of the measurements indicate better superconducting properties in sol-gel method compare to the solid-state method. Also, it indicates better superconducting properties in Cold Press samples with respect to the samples prepared by SPS method. To compare the sintering temperature indicates that 825 and 830 oC are suitable temperature for sol-gel and solid-state samples, respectively, in Cold Press process.