The Effect of AgNO3 Addition on the Formation and Superconducting Properties of the Bi2223 Phase

Abstract

Superconducting samples with nominal composition Bi1.66Pb0.34Sr2Ca2Cu2Ox–Ag are prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction and DC electrical resistivity. According to X-ray diffraction patterns of specimens, the highest amount of Bi-(2223) phase along with the minimum amount of Bi-(2212) phase and minimum effect on the crystal structure was accessible in the sample with 10 wt. % of AgNO3 content. The standard four-probe technique is applied to measure the DC electrical resistivity in the temperature range from 77 to 250 K and the influence of different Ag contents on the normal phase resistance, transition width and critical temperature Tc has been investigated comparatively.