Preparation of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+δ films using sedimentation process and melt-quenched method

Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 +δ (Bi-2223) films were fabricated on polished (110) and (001) MgO substrates using a Sedimentation Process with Melt-Quenched heat treatment. The procedure involves suspending Bi-2223 powders in acetone and allows the liquid to evaporate and leave a deposit on the substrates. The sediment powders on the substrates were heat treated wherein the films were partially melted and subjected to prolonged post-annealing treatment at 860 °C. It is observed that quenching after post-annealing promoted single phase transition. Single phase Bi-2223 films were obtained with Tc ranging from 110 to 118 K. The films however are not well c-axis oriented although a number of XRD peaks show (00l) orientation. Bi-2223 predominates the films reaching up to ∼90% based on the XRD data. SEM micrographs show granular and interconnected morphologies with visible Cu-rich rods. X-ray Diffraction reveals these rods to be (Sr,Ca)-Cu-O phase.