Tailoring the Physical Properties of (Bi, Pb)-2212 Superconductor by the Addition of Cd0.95Mn0.05O Nanoparticles

The effect of CdMnO addition on the physical properties of Bi-2212 superconductors was investigated. The conventional solid-state reaction technique was employed for the synthesis of (Cd0.95Mn0.05O)(x) Bi-1.6 Pb-0.4 Sr-1.9 Ca-1.1 Cu-2.1 O8+delta samples with 0.00 <= x <= 0.10 wt.%. The X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of the orthorhombic phase of Bi-2212 superconductors. The lattice parameter a shows an increase with x, conversely the lattice parameters b and c show a decrease. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images have shown an enhancement in the grain connectivity and a reduction of voids due to the CdMnO addition. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis shows a remarkable shift in the wave number positions due to the addition of CdMnO nanoparticles. The superconducting transition temperature (T-c) and the critical current density (J(c)) show an enhancement with CdMnO addition up to x = 0.05 wt.%. The elemental composition and oxidation state of all elements were determined from the X-ray photoelectron emission (XPS) analysis. The work suggests a correlation between the variations of the superconducting properties and the dynamics of the cationic equilibrium reactions among Pb2+ ions in Bi3+ or Cu2+ sites. These equilibrium reactions are induced by the variations in the oxygen content produced by the addition of CdMnO nanoparticles.

Automated summary

The effect of CdMnO addition on the physical properties of Bi-2212 superconductors was investigated. The addition led to changes in lattice parameters, enhancement of grain connectivity, shift in wave number positions, and improvement of superconducting properties. X-ray photoelectron emission analysis revealed a correlation between the variations in superconducting properties and the dynamics of cationic equilibrium reactions.