Enhancement in the performance of BSCCO (Bi-2223) superconductor with functionalized TiO2 nanorod additive

Using a sol-gel route, we produced (Bi,Pb)(2)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+theta (Bi-2223) specimens with the addition of titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO2-NR) additive, with the aim of understanding the role of one-dimensional (1D) additives on the magnetic properties, flux pinning ability and microstructure of Bi-2223. TiO2-NR was hydrothermally prepared through the two-step process. The Isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane (IPTMS) was employed as a surface modifier of TiO2-NR. Based on FTIR spectra, successful connection between the surface of TiO2-NR with IPTMS was approved. XRD patterns revealed that the structure of Bi-2223 as the main phase was maintained with the increase of TiO2-NR. An enhancement in the vortex pinning and superconducting properties was obtained in the specimen with the 0.2 wt%. TiO2-NR. The microstructure of the samples showed enough contact between the plate-shape BSCCO grains. By increase of TiO2-NR content, grain connectivity and grain alignment slightly diminished. Among the samples, the one containing 0.2 TiO2-NR showed the largest magnetic hysteresis curves and the highest critical current density (J(c)) equal to 2.01 x 10(6) A/cm(2), comparable to the considerable results reported for Bi-2223. The possible flux pinning mechanisms predominant in this compound were evaluated, indicating that TiO2-NR improved the pinning performance in Bi-2223.