Preparation of high performance (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductor using a sol–gel synthesized amorphous precursor through controlled gelation

A controlled gelation method through an acrylate route is identified for the synthesis of high quality precursors for the production of bulk (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductors. The method overcomes the problem of undesirable precipitation of crystallites during gelation by controlling the vapour loss from the sol and the temperature and leads to an amorphous gel which on subsequent processing results in a highly reactive and homogenous precursor. (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductors prepared from the precursor have shown highly enhanced properties with respect to final phase purity, sintered density, microstructure and critical current density compared to those prepared from conventional solid state precursors.