Effects of Cd2+ substitution on elastic properties and step-like anomalies in Tl0.9Bi0.1Sr1.8Yb0.2Ca1−xCdxCu1.99Fe0.01o7−δ superconductors

• Elastic properties of Tl0.9Bi0.1Sr1.8Yb0.2Ca1-xCdxCu1.99Fe0.01O7-δ (x = 0-0.4) superconductors were investigated by ultrasonic velocity measurements.
• Elastic anomaly was observed around 230–250 K with the sharpest anomaly observed at x=0.3.
• The anomaly was fitted well to the Landau model indicating a phase transition which is suggested to involve oxygen ordering.
• Elastic moduli and Debye temperature, θD showed maximum values for the x=0.3 sample which also displays the highest Tc zero.

Cd-doped Tl0.9Bi0.1Sr1.8Yb0.2Ca1−xCdxCu1.99Fe0.01O7−δ (x=0–0.4) bulk superconductor samples were prepared by solid-state reaction method, to examine the effect of Cd on ultrasonic velocity and elastic behavior of the samples. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, DC electrical resistivity and temperature dependent ultrasonic velocity measurements. DC electrical resistivity measurement showed all the samples exhibit metallic normal-state behavior with the highest Tc zero observed at around 76.4 K (x=0.3). Ultrasonic velocity measurements at 80 K showed a non-linear increase in both absolute longitudinal and shear velocities as well as elastic moduli with Cd substitution with the largest increase observed for the x=0.3 sample. Temperature dependant longitudinal modulus showed elastic anomaly characterized by a step-like slope change at around 230 K for x=0 & x=0.3 and at around 250 K for x=0.4 with the x=0.3 sample showing the sharpest slope change. A comparison between experimental data and calculated lattice anharmonicity curve based on the model proposed by Lakkad, showed large deviation of the experimental longitudinal modulus curves for (x=0.3) from the calculated anharmonicity curves indicating that the elastic behavior was strongly influenced by the existence of the step-like longitudinal anomaly. On the other hand, our analysis using the Landau free energy model found that the anomalous step-like elastic behavior fitted well with the equation derived from the model for regions below and above the elastic anomaly temperature, TA. The fitting indicated that the anomaly is related to a phase transition that is suggested to involve ordering of oxygen which introduces strain in the system.