EFFECT OF CA2PBO4 ADDITIONS ON THE FORMATION OF THE 110-K PHASE IN BI-PB-SR-CA-CU-O SUPERCONDUCTING CERAMICS

Abstract

The growth of the Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O(x) phase in the high T(c) superconducting Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system through reacting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(x) with Ca- or Cu-rich intermediate phases, Ca2CuO3, CuO, and Ca2PbO4, has been studied. X-ray diffraction and electrical and diamagnetic analyses revealed that the interaction and interdiffusion of these intermediate phase led to the formation of a high percentage of the 2223 phase and a sharp single-step superconducting transition at T(c)(R = 0) = 108 K. Also, Ca2PbO4 proved essential for accelerating the growth rate of the 110 K phase from the 85 K phase.