Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 March 2011
The introduction of more reactive precursors for Pb and Sr (oxalates), as well as Ca (citrate) and the use of a Bi nitrate decomposition route, has increased the percentage of the high-Tc (2223) phase in the Bi—Sr—Ca—Cu—O (BSCCO) system. Partial substitution of Bi(Pb) with Sb gives an almost single (2223) phase sample. In addition, a single (2212) phase sample is obtained when high purity Bi2O3 is used as a precursor, whereas Bi acetate leads to semiconducting behavior. The morphology of the samples is studied with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the stoichiometry with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), and the structure with x-ray diffraction (XRD), while the superconducting properties are investigated by dc-resistivity, ac-susceptibility, and SQUID magnetometry techniques.