Impact of electron irradiation on transition temperature of Pb-substituted Bi-2223 superconductor

Abstract

The synthesis of (Bi1-xPbx)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O8+σ (x=0 and 0.4) bulk samples (hereafter called as Bi-2223) were completed by using solid-state reaction method. The Bi-2223 samples were subjected to calcination for 24 hours at 840°C, Then, the pelletized powder for both samples were sintered at 865°C for 48 hours. Each sample was exposed to high energy electron irradiation with a dosage of 100 kGray. Structural examination was conducted by using the Bruker D8-Advanced X-ray powder Diffraction (XRD). According to Bi-2223 indexed phase structure, the XRD patterns obtained shows that the samples, both Bi-2223 (x=0 and x=0.4) samples showed well-defined peaks and phase structure remains unchanged after the sample being exposed to the electron source. Measurement of the critical temperature, TC were obtained by using AC susceptibility technique and four-point probe. Bi/Pb (x=0.4) sample showed significant TC value compared to Bi/Pb (x=0) sample. Grain alignment in SEM micrographs show enhancement in their grain connectivity and also layering texture in irradiated sample which might lead to has better superconducting properties. In contrast, the impact of electron irradiation on its microstructure and consequently the TC was destructive in the Bi/Pb (x=0) sample. ©BEIESP.