Synthesis of high purity 110 K phase in the Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor by the sol-gel method

Abstract

(BiPb)(2)Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox superconductor powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using an aqueous solution of metal nitrates containing polyacrylic acid and tartaric acid as chelating agents. The conditions of the sol formation were determined and the thermal decomposition process of the gel precursor was examined. The effect of sintering temperature on the particle morphology was also investigated. High purity Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting oxide powders with high-T-c phase could be obtained and they exhibited sharp superconducting transition with zero temperature of 105 K.