Synthesis, characterization, and Vickers microhardness for (YIG)x/(Bi, Pb)-2223 superconducting phase

The current study investigated the effect of adding yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12; YIG) nanoparticles to the (Bi1.8Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2.1Cu3.2Oy ((Bi,Pb)-2223) superconductor. The classical solid-state reaction technique was used to synthesize the nano-(YIG)x/(Bi,Pb)-2223 composites (0.00 <= x <= 2.00 wt.%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of tetragonal (Bi,Pb)-2223 as the major phase. The morphology and elemental composition of the synthesized samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. Iodometric titration analysis proved that the addition of nano-YIG increased the oxygen content in the CuO2 planes. The critical transition temperature (Tc) and the critical current density (Jc) increased with the nano-YIG addition up to x = 0.25 wt.% with values of 119.25 K and 638.37 A/cm2, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the elemental composition and oxidation state of all elements in the prepared samples. Room temperature Vickers microhardness (Hv) mea-surements were performed at different applied loads (0.49-9.80 N) and a duration time of 20 s. The best enhancement in Vickers microhardness (Hv) was achieved at x = 2.00 wt.%. The modified proportional sample resistance (MPSR) model provided the best theoretical analysis at the plateau limit region based on Vickers microhardness (Hv) observations. Moreover, nano-YIG addition into the (Bi,Pb)-2223 superconductor adversely affected several mechanical parameters such as the elastic modulus (E), yield strength (Y), and fracture tough-ness (K).

Automated summary

The effect of adding yttrium iron garnet (YIG) nanoparticles on the (Bi1.8Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2.1Cu3.2Oy ((Bi,Pb)-2223) superconductor was investigated. The synthesis of nano-(YIG)x/(Bi,Pb)-2223 composites was done using the solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of (Bi,Pb)-2223 as the major phase. The addition of nano-YIG increased the oxygen content in the CuO2 planes and improved the critical transition temperature (Tc) and critical current density (Jc).