Synthesis and enhancement of current density in cerium doped Bi(Pb)Sr(Ba)-2 2 2 3 high Tc superconductor

Bismuth based superconductors (BSCCO) having 2 2 2 3 phase is highly carried by the researchers to study the structural and other properties. The effect of substitution of cerium element on calcium site of bismuth based Bi(Pb)Sr(Ba)-2 2 2 3 high Tc superconductor for the enhancement of superconducting properties like critical temperature(Tc) and critical current density (Jc) are studied. The nominal compositions of Bi1.6Pb0.4(Sr1−yBay)2(Ca1−xCex)2Cu3OY (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and y = 0.0, 0.4) ceramic superconductor were prepared by wet chemical method. Stoichiometric amounts of Bi2O3, PbO, Sr(NO3)2, BaCO3, CaCO3, CuO and CeO2 were used as starting materials. The effect of substitution of cerium on calcium site and its effect on current density of Bi-2 2 2 3 phase were studied. To study the structural morphology and surface analysis X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was done. It is observed that with the substitution of cerium on calcium site not only the phase pure material is obtained but also the current density increases.

► Submitted manuscript is related to preparation, structural and electrical characterization of single phase Bi-based superconductor doped with rare earth element. ► Wet chemical synthesis method is used for the preparation of samples and the dopant (cerium) was selected which is never reported in literature to the best of our knowledge. ► Current density is one of the most important parameter about the superconductors, for this purpose a very simple apparatus was designed and calibrated. After that current density of the superconducting samples was measured and further calculations were done. Very interesting results are obtained and are reported. ► The publication will definitely add new data to the existing literature.