Influence of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles on the superconducting properties and AC susceptibility of Bi1.6Pb0.7Sr2CaCu2O8 superconductor
摘要
The effects of nano-sized Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (NZFO) addition on the superconducting properties of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212) were investigated. Samples were prepared using the solid-state reaction method with NZFO addition of 0 to 0.5 wt%. The structural, electrical, and magnetic properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrical resistance measurements, and AC susceptibility analysis. All samples exhibited normal metallic characteristics above onset transition temperature, Tc−onset. The resistance versus temperature measurements showed Tc−onset and zero transition temperature, Tc−zero for all samples ranging between 72 and 82 K, and 55 and 70 K, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed noticeable microstructural changes with higher additions of nano-sized NZFO. Despite these changes, the addition of nano-sized NZFO did not significantly suppress the intra- and intergrain characteristics of the Bi-2212 phase. The x = 0.06–0.08 wt% samples showed the highest intergrain peak temperatures, Josephson current and Josephson coupling energy even though the transition temperatures and Bi-2212 phase volume fraction were suppressed. This work showed that the appropriate addition of nano-sized NZFO could significantly enhance grain connectivity and critical current density, highlighting its potential as an effective flux pinning center for Bi-based superconductors.