Tailoring the superconducting properties for Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+d compound with addition of nano TiO2.

Different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles were added to Bi1.7Pb0.3Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+d composite its superconducting properties as well as its microstructural development were studied. Powder pellets were fabricated using the solid state reaction method. Critical transition temperatures TC of the samples were measured by the four point probe method. It was found that the addition of nanosized TiO2 up to the 0.2 wt% enhances the superconducting transition temperature TC, the highest TC was exhibited at 118 K, while excessive addition suppressed it. Ti nanoparticle introduced effective pinning centers. The phase identification /gross structural characteristics of synthesized high-TC superconductors (HTSc) was investigated through X-ray diffractions. The results showed both (Bi, Pb)-2223 and -2212 phases coexist in the samples with orthorhombic crystal structure for all samples. Grains shape and their connectivity were studied with scanning electron microscope SEM. Along with this the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope EDX analysis was used to test the chemical composition of Bi1.7Pb0.3Ti0.2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+d superconductor. XRD, SEM and electrical measurements were done on the samples to deduce the best properties desired for superconductor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]